"Hubert Guillotel’s study [“Du rôle des
cimetières en Bretagne dans le renouveau du XIe et de la première moitié du
XIIe siècle,” Memoires de la Société d’histoire et d’archéologie de
Bretagne 52 (1972–1974) 5–26] reveals that in the eleventh and twelfth
centuries Breton cemeteries were used for buying and selling merchandise as
well as for issuing charters since the sacred character of consecrated ground
could foster a hospitable environment in which to conduct
business".
Now THIS really does make sense ! If
the Dean & canons were using the church yard as a market place, perhaps
for the holding of an annual fair ? they were presumably (and quite legally)
exacting tolls or other financial dues from the traders for the privilege of
using the secure location. But since the the church yard was within the
comital city of Nantes, the Count might well consider that he had a right to
at least share of the dues if not to collect a second band of taxes
himself. The Dean refuses to hand over a moiety of the profits; the Count
takes what he considers to be his fair share at swordpoint, et
voila!
Thank you very much.
Brenda.
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