IV/2/1/1694

IV/2/1/1694

Item

Articles of Agreement for maintenance of the Organ, 1694

A Counterpart of the Articles between the Dean & Chapter of Sarum and Renatus Harris Organmaker

29 Aug 1694

1 sheet

Articles of Agreement between the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral and Renatus (or René) Harris (c 1652-1724) "of the City of London Organ Maker". The Articles allude to "the frequent disorders and defects in the Organ belonging to the said Cathedrall" and "the neglect which hath hitherto been of tuning repairing and amending the same". Renatus Harris is stated to be "willing to undertake the constant tuming repairing and amending of the said Organ keeping the same in good and sufficient repair . . . in consideration of a certain moderate yearly salary". By the Articles, Renatus Harris agrees that "at all times hereafter when and as often as need shall require" he "will sufficiently repair amend maintain . . . and keep the said Organ and all the pipes stopps keys and all other things of or belonging to the same in good . . . order and repair". It is "covenanted and agreed between the said parties" that "in consideration of the distance of the Cathedrall Church from the City of London it shall be lawfull for . . . the said Renatus Harris his Servants and Workmen to come down to Sarum for the purpose aforesaid at such time and times yearly or otherwise . . . as he and they shall think fit and convenient . . . provided that the said Organ shall be always maintained and kept . . . in such good order . . . and repair that it may be always fit for the use and service of the said Cathedrall Church". The "certain moderate yearly salary" is stated to be "the sum of fforty shillings by the Quarter of lawfull money of England". Signed by Renatus Harris. Witnessed by Geo Frome sen[ior], Geo "ffrome" jun[ior] and Daniel [Wisher?].

English

Material: parchment, wax