1506 - Debt Between A Merchant And A Lord Of The Castle - Ambléon / Conzieu - Ain - Parchment

Notarial deed of acknowledgment of debt drawn up on the Monday following the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, that is, June 26, 1506, in Ambléon, a small town located in the present-day department of Ain. In this deed, Jehan Valet, described as an "honest person" and resident of Ambléon, acknowledges owing the sum of twenty-five gold florins, gold coin of good alloy and good weight, to Jehan de Plastre, a merchant residing in Yenne. This sum represents the payment for goods delivered to Jehan Valet by Jehan de Plastre. The debt must be settled without delay at Christmas (the following Christmas term), in the town of Yenne or at any other place that Jehan de Plastre may designate. As security, Jehan Valet pledges all his movable and immovable property, present and future, authorizing their judicial seizure in the event of non-payment, without further summons. The name of the notary is illegible - Two witnesses are cited: Pierre Berthault and Claude Dupuis. Jehan Valet takes an oath on the Gospels, swearing to respect the terms of the deed without recourse or dispute. Jehan de Plastre is designated as a merchant in Yenne, but also castellan of Conzieu, a town near Ambléon. We note a beautiful initial letter at the beginning of the document, accompanied by a "signum castrum" a quadrilobed motif evoking the ground plan of a fortress. This could be the notary's signum (a sort of recognition motif.) parchment with folds - still flexible, good condition.