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University of Virginia Library

The Plan of St. Gall

a study of the architecture & economy of & life in a paradigmatic Carolingian monastery

Horn, Walter William

THE PLAN OF ST. GALL

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I.

CONTENTS: VOLUME I

SYNOPSIS OF THE WORK

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THE PLAN AND ITS BUILDINGS: A PRELIMINARY ORIENTATION

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INDEX TO BUILDING NUMBERS OF PLAN

VERZEICHNIS DER GEBÄUDENUMMERN IM PLAN

INDEX TO PLAN: VERZEICHNIS ZUM PLAN: INDEX DU PLAN

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I.

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I. 1.

I.1.1.

I.1.2.

I.1.3.

I.1.4.

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I.1.5.

THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE SCALE OF THE PLAN

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I.1.6.

OTHER MORE GENERAL WORKS & NEW CRITICAL EDITIONS

I.1.7.

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I. 2.

I.2.1.

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I. 3.

I.3.1.

I.3.2.

I.3.3.

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I. 4.

I.4.1.

I.4.2.

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I. 5.

I.5.1.

I.5.2.

I.5.3.

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I. 6.

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I.6.1.

ABSENCE OF UNDERDRAWING

ABSENCE OF GUIDING CONSTRUCTION LINES IN THE ALIGNMENT OF BUILDINGS

ABSENCE OF GUIDING UNDERDRAWING IN THE INTERNAL LAYOUT OF INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS

ABSENCE OF CENTER POINTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CIRCLES

ANGULAR DISTORTIONS CAUSED BY A SHIFT IN THE RELATIVE POSITION OF ORIGINAL AND OVERLAY

INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE FLUID EXECUTION OF THE DRAWING AND THE PRECISE DRAFTSMANSHIP REQUIRED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME

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I. 7.

I.7.1.

I.7.2.

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I.7.3.

THE TRANSFER OF HOUSES FOR THE WORKMEN AND CRAFTSMEN FROM AN EXTRAMURAL TO AN INTRAMURAL LOCATION

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATE QUARTERS FOR VISITING MONKS

THE TRANSFER OF THE SCHOOL FOR LAYMEN AND SECULAR PRIESTS TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE THE CLAUSTRUM

I.7.4.

I. 8.

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I. 9.

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I.9.1.

CONCEPTUAL AFFINITIES WITH COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

RELATIVE CHRONOLOGY

LIKELIHOOD OF HILDEBOLD'S INVOLVEMENT IN ORIGINAL SCHEME

AN ORNAMENTAL DETAIL SUGGESTING THE COURT SCHOOL AS THE CONCEPTUAL HOME OF THE PROTOTYPE PLAN

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I. 10.

I.10.1.

I.10.2.

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I. 11.

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I.11.1.

REINHARDT, 1952

I.11.2.

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I. 12.

I.12.1.

I.12.2.

I.12.3.

I.12.4.

I.12.5.

I.12.6.

I.12.7.

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I. 13.

I.13.1.

I.13.2.

I.13.3.

I.13.4.

I.13.5.

I.13.6.

I.13.7.

I.13.8.

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I. 14.

I.14.1.

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I.14.2.

CONTRADICTORY TITLES NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME

THE TITLES NOT THE DRAWING REFLECT THE INTENT OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEME

THE DRAWING NOT THE TITLES SHOULD BE TRUSTED

THE INCONSISTENCIES NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT BUT A CORRECTIVE MEASURE

CONFLICTING VIEWS ON SCALE OF THE PLAN

IMPROPER TEXTUAL EXEGESIS

ANACHRONISM IN MENSURATION

EARLY EXPRESSION OF THE VIEW THAT THE PLAN WAS DRAWN TO A CONSISTENT SCALE

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I.14.3.

A WORD OF CAUTION

THE 2½-FOOT MODULE (STANDARD MODULE)

THE 40-FOOT MODULE (LARGE MODULE)

THE 160-FOOT MODULE (SUPER MODULE)

THE 1¼-FOOT MODULE (SUBMODULE)

I.14.4.

I.14.5.

I.14.6.

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I.14.7.

SCRIPTORIUM & NORTHERN TRANSEPT ARM

THE MEDICINAL GARDEN

THE HOUSES FOR THE COWS AND THE FOALING MARES

I.14.8.

I.14.9.

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I. 15.

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I.15.1.

A UNION OF SCHEMATISM & REALISM

I. 16.

I. 17.

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II.

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II. 1.

II.1.1.

II.1.2.

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II.1.3.

CONNECTION WITH IRELAND?

CALL TOWERS OR FUNERARY LIGHT TOWERS?

BELL TOWERS OR TOWERS OF DEFENSE AND SURVEILLANCE?

THE EIGHT-LOBED ROSETTE: A STELLAR AND APOTROPAIC SYMBOL

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II.1.4.

ALTAR OF ST. PETER

II.1.5.

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II.1.6.

CHOIR OF ST. PETER

BAPTISMAL FONT AND ALTAR

ALTAR OF THE SAVIOR AT THE CROSS & THE PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR LAYMEN

LECTERNS FOR READING

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II.1.7.

THE CROSSING SQUARE AND ITS FURNISHINGS

SOUTHERN TRANSEPT ARM

NORTHERN TRANSEPT ARM

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II.1.8.

HIGH ALTAR: ST. MARY AND ST. GALL

TOMB OF ST. GALL AND ITS RELATION TO THE CRYPT

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II.1.9.

ALTAR OF ST. PAUL

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II.1.10.

II.1.11.

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II.1.12.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

READING COLLECTION

WRITING POSTURE AND VARIOUS CLASSES OF SCRIBES

METHOD OF CATALOGING AND SHELVING BOOKS

NUMBER OF SCRIBES & COLLABORATION

DAILY WORK SPAN

A NOBLE OR BACKBREAKING TASK?

II.1.13.

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II. 2.

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II.2.1.

MATERIAL AND WALL THICKNESS

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II.2.2.

GEORG DEHIO (1887) & JOSEPH HECHT (1924)

HANS REINHARDT (1937 and 1952)

ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF DEHIO'S INTERPRETATION

WOLFGANG SCHÖNE (1960)

ADOLF REINLE (1963-64)

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II. 3.

II.3.1.

II.3.2.

II.3.3.

II.3.4.

II.3.5.

II.3.6.

II.3.7.

II.3.8.

II.3.9.

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II.3.10.

PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF THE GRID OF SQUARES

MEDITERRANEAN OR NORTHERN ROOTS: A DIVISION OF MINDS

INCREASING PROPENSITY FOR MODULAR SPACE DIVISION IN PRE-CAROLINGIAN AND CAROLINGIAN ARCHITECTURE NORTH OF THE ALPS

NEW LITURGICAL NEEDS CONTRIBUTING TO MODULAR SPACE DIVISION

MODULAR SPACE DIVISION: AN INTRINSIC FEATURE OF PREHISTORIC, PROTOHISTORIC, AND MEDIEVAL WOOD CONSTRUCTION

MODULAR AREA DIVISION: AN INTRINSIC FEATURE IN THE LAYOUT AND DESIGN OF ILLUMINATED PAGES IN HIBERNO-SAXON AND CAROLINGIAN MANUSCRIPTS

MODULAR AREA DIVISION: AN INTELLECTUAL PRINCIPLE AFFECTING THE CONCEPTUAL ORGANIZATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHURCH AND STATE

SETBACK AND RE-EMERGENCE

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III.

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III. 1.

III.1.1.

III.1.2.

III.1.3.

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III.1.4.

THE PUZZLE OF THE SAVIN PLANT

THE GALLERIED PORCHES

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III.1.5.

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HOW THE MONKS ARE TO SLEEP

LAYOUT OF THE BEDS

FEARS OF THE VIGILANT ABBOT

ABSENCE OF STAIRS

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METHOD OF HEATING

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III.1.6.

A STRANGE VISIT AT NIGHT: ITS SANITARY, MORAL, AND ARCHITECTURAL IMPLICATIONS

TIMES SET FORMALLY ASIDE FOR THE USE OF THE PRIVY

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III.1.7.

CONCEPT OF CLEANLINESS & DIRECTIVES CONCERNING THE USE OF BATHS

NUMBER, LOCATIONS & LAYOUT OF FACILITIES FOR BATHING & WASHING

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III.1.8.

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TABLES AND BENCHES

READER'S PULPIT

LACK OF FACILITIES FOR HEATING

LAYOUT OF TABLES AND BENCHES IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

NUMBER AND HOURS OF MEALS OF THE MONKS

THE MONKS' DIET

MONKS' BEHAVIOR DURING THE MEAL

WHO IS ADMITTED BESIDE THE MONKS

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WHAT CLOTHES THE MONKS ARE TO WEAR

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III.1.9.

LAYOUT AND FURNISHINGS

DESIGN OF COOKING RANGE

ARCHITECTURAL SHELL

KITCHEN UTENSILS

RULES GOVERNING WORK IN THE KITCHEN

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III.1.30.

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LAYOUT, DESIGN, AND DIMENSIONS OF CASKS

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THE BARRELS IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

An invention of the Celts

Egyptian & Greco-Roman methods of storing wine

The barrel: constructional & viticultural advantages

The oldest extant barrel and the earliest visual representations

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THE MEASURE OF WINE AND BEER ALLOWED TO THE MONKS

Conflicting views among the early fathers

No difference in alcoholic content between ancient and modern wines

The hemina of St. Benedict: Charlemagne's attempts to establish its value

The Carolingian inflation of capacity measures

The probable daily allowance of wine at the time The Plan of St. Gall was drawn

ARE THE BARRELS DRAWN TO SCALE AND SCALED TO NEED?

LACK OF FACILITIES FOR THE PRESSING OF GRAPES

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III.1.11.

ITS DUAL ROLE: CONVERSATION WITH VISITORS & WASHING OF FEET

MANDATUM FRATRUM AND MANDATUM HOSPITUM

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III. 2.

III.2.1.

III.2.2.

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III.2.3.

LAYOUT OF THE CLOISTER

NOVICES AND THEIR SUPERVISORS

DIET AND CLOTHING

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III.2.4.

LAYOUT OF THE CLOISTER

CARE OF THE SICK: THEIR DIETARY PREROGATIVES

ADMISSION TO INFIRMARY

III.2.5.

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III.2.6.

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ROMAN IMPERIAL PROTOTYPES

Constantine's basilica at Trier

The porticus villa at Konz

Other porticus villas in the territory of the Salian Franks

Could they still be seen in Carolingian times?

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III.2.7.

THREE SEPARATE CLOISTERS: AN ANSWER TO MONASTIC STRATIFICATION

AXIALITY OF CHURCHES: A PRINCIPLE INHERITED FROM EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

GROUPING OF BUILDING MASSES: A TRANSFER TO SITE ORGANIZATION OF PRINCIPLES DEVELOPED IN BOOK ILLUMINATION

III.2.8.

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III. 3.

III.3.1.

III.3.2.

III.3.3.

III.3.4.

III.3.5.

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IV.

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IV. 1.

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IV.1.1.

AUTHORITY AND OBLIGATION

ELECTIVITY OF OFFICE

MANORIAL POWER AND MILITARY OBLIGATIONS

IV.1.2.

IV.1.3.

IV.1.4.

IV.1.5.

IV.1.6.

IV.1.7.

IV.1.8.

IV.1.9.

IV.1.10.

IV.1.11.

IV.1.12.

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IV. 2.

IV.2.1.

IV.2.2.

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IV.2.3.

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IV. 3.

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IV.3.1.

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IV. 4.

IV.4.1.

IV.4.2.

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IV. 5.

IV.5.1.

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IV. 6.

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IV.6.1.

RESPONSIBLE MONASTIC OFFICIALS

MANAGEMENT BY MONKS OR BY LAYMEN?

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IV. 7.

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IV.7.1.

IMPROVEMENT OF TREES BY GRAFTING

IMPROVED METHODS IN MANAGEMENT: BREEDING OF LIVESTOCK

NEW STANDARDS IN MANAGERIAL PRACTICE AND THEORY

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IV.7.2.

NEW OR UNUSUAL HEATING DEVICES

SYSTEMATIC USE OF WATER POWER

IV.7.3.

IV.7.4.

IV.7.5.

IV.7.6.

IV.7.7.

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CONFLICTING VIEWS ON SCALE OF THE PLAN

But Boeckelmann's theory was challenged, in turn, in
1965 by Adolf Reinle,[339] who came forth with a new interpretation
of the textual incongruities of the Plan that
departed radically from all views previously expressed on
this subject. The meaning of the axial title of the Church, so
Reinle contended, is not as is generally assumed,

FROM EAST TO WEST
THE LENGTH IS 200 FEET

but rather,

THIS PLAN IS DRAWN AT THE
SCALE OF 1:200

Reinle arrived at this interpretation in the following
manner:

1. PED̄, he maintained, must not be transcribed as
PEDUM (genitive plural of pes = "foot"), but as PEDA or
PEDIA (imperative form of the verb pedare or pediare = "to
measure in feet").[340]

2. LONGĪT̄. must not be read as LONGITUDO (nominative
of the noun longitudo = "length"), but as LONGITUDINE
(ablative form of the noun longitudo = "in length").[341]

3. .CC. is not the simple cardinal figure ducentum =
"two hundred," but must be interpreted as a multiplicative
term, in the sense of ducenties = "two hundred times."
Reinle, accordingly, transcribes the title:

AB ORIENTE IN OCCIDENTEM
LONGITUDINE PEDA DUCENTIES

and purports this to mean

FROM EAST TO WEST, IN LENGTH,
MEASURE TWO HUNDRED TIMES,

or

THIS PLAN IS
DRAWN AT THE SCALE OF 1:200.[342]

This interpretation is untenable on two counts: first, it is
based on an improper textual exegesis; and second, it
ascribes to the ninth century a method of defining architectural
scale relationships that does not antedate the French
Revolution.[343]

82

61. PLAN OF ST. GALL

CHURCH AND CLAUSTRUM

The 40-foot module is superimposed upon the facsimile
red drawing (shown ½ original size; 1:384)

[339]

Reinle, 1963/64.

[340]

Ibid., 97.

[341]

Ibid.

[342]

Ibid., 98.

[343]

I have discussed the shortcomings of Reinle's interpretation at
length in a separate study (Horn, 1966, 285-308) and am confining myself
here to a review of my principal objections to his argument.