Commemorative Inscription from the Consecration of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Author: Unknown
Date: 1401, 23 January
Material: Polychromed limestone
Dimensions (cm): H 72,5 x W 64,5 x D 103
Inscription: + ERA DE MIL e CCCC XXXIX ANOS / XXIII DIAS DO MES DE IANE(i)RO DIA D(e) / SANTE YL (de)EFONSO FOY SAGRADA ESTA E/ GRESA [Sic] POR MANDADO DO MUY NOBR / E REY DON IOHAN DE PORTUGAL E DA M / UY NOBRE REYNHA DONA FELIPA SUA MO / LHER FILHA DEL DUC DE LENCASTRE e SAG / ROA O BISPO DO PORTO DON IOHAN DAZANB / UJA ESTA OBRA FEZ IOHAN GARCIA MESTRE.
Provenance: Guimarães, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira
Inventory No.: MAS L 5
This inscription is structured in ten lines within finely sculpted wide frame. On top, inside three circular medallions defined by rope work, there are three shields: in the extremities the arms of Dom João I (shield of Portugal placed on the cross of Avis), to the centre the shield of Saint George (white shield with red cross). On the remaining sides the frame presents a sequence of vine leaves that arise from a masque sculpted in the centre of the interior frame.
This inscription, dating from 23 January 1401, marks the consecration of the Church of Senhora da Oliveira by the bishop of Oporto, Dom João Afonso Esteves da Azambuja, in a ceremony where the monarch who ordered the rebuilding of the temple, Dom João I, was present. Besides the queen, Dona Filipa de Lencastre, the little infants were also present, as mentioned in the diploma of the consecration that is kept in the Arquivo Municipal de Guimarães.
Besides being a more refined example than the commemorative inscription from the foundation of the new church (MAS L 4), it also came down to us in a better state of conservation because it has always been kept inside the church.
The works were the responsibility of master mason João Garcia de Toledo, who remodeled the church in the Gothic style.
Updated and free translation of the inscription: + Era of one thousand four hundred and thirty nine years of the month of January, Saint Ildefonso’s day, this church was consecrated by order of the very noble King of Portugal, Dom João, and of his wife, the very noble Queen Dona Philippa, the duke of Lancaster’s daughter, and it was consecrated by the bishop of Oporto, Dom João da Azambuja. These works were made by master João Garcia.