Page - 150 - in The Power of Urban Water - Studies in premodern urbanism

150 Margit Dahm-Kruse Thestory isabout theexceptional lovebetweenFlore, sonofaMoorishking,andBlansche- flur, daughter of aChristian slave. Their lovehas to prevail againstmuch resistance, until it is concludedwithFlore’sChristianconversion, theirmarriage,andtherestitutionofChristianrule in Spain. The protagonists’ outstanding love is honouredwith a particular significance in the historyof salvation,since theirdaughter isdestined tobecome–as is foretold in theprologue– themotherofCharlemagne.Thatway,FloreandBlanscheflurbecome theoriginof the renewal of theHolyRomanEmpire. But before this outstandingly happy ending, Flore’smother, who does not approve of her son’s love for a Christian slave, sells Blanscheflur to the court of the BabylonianEmperor, the Amiral, in order to separate the lovers. Flore therefore embarks on the exhausting journey to Babylon to free Blanscheflur. The episodewhich takes place in Babylon contains an extensive description of amonumental tower belonging to the Amiral’s palace. This Babylonianmonu- ment is characterized by amaximum of artistry and technical skills. In its enormous dimen- sions, the indestructible towermirrors the absolute power of the Emperor, to whom 70 king- doms are subject. Inside, the tower is magnificently decorated in immeasurable splendour. Besides a highly impressive great hall, the tower contains 70 bowers, whose floor pavements, wallsandceilingsaredecoratedover-abundantlywithgold,preciousstones,andpaintings.The description of the tower represents the Amiral’s hubris by drawing an analogy to the biblical Tower of Babel. Special attentionwithin the description of the tower is paid to a highly artful water supply. At the base of the tower, a spring is located, from where water is conducted throughsilver-linedpillarswhichareashighas the tower itself, so that clear andcoldwater is always available: in dem turneunden, AmFußedesTurmes dâ ist ein schoenebrunne, ist eine schöneQuelle, bazdan ich gesagen kunde, kunstvoller, als ich es ausdrücken kann, mit listen geleitetwol wird sie durch einenPfeiler geleitet, in einenphîler, der ist hol, der hohl ist und dem turne ebenhôch. so hochwieder Turm. ein schoener silberîn nôch Schönes Silberwerk ist ist vermûret dar inne, darinnen vermauert, dazder brunne rinne sodassdieQuelle durchdaz silber alsô klâr klar durchdas Silber fließt undkalt belîbe über jâr.33 unddas ganze Jahr über kühl bleibt. Furthermore, it is explained in the elaborate description, that thewater runs throughanartful piping systemmade ofmarble which supplies all bowers with clear water. At the very top of the tower, a large fountain figure is installed. It represents aman fromwhosemouth thewater runs before being carried to the piping system.Of course, the impressive hydraulic systembe- hind thiswater supply is not explained indetail. In fact, the narrator repeatedly expresses his astonishment at this seeminglymagical technical performance.34 Water is also a crucial element of a daily ritual the Amiral has established: in each of his 70bowers live threewomenwhoare there topleasehimwith their beauty, and fromwhomhe choosesanewwifeeachyear.Twoof thesewomen–oneof themisBlanscheflur–havetobring fresh water from the precious water supply to the Amiral’s bed every morning and evening. Theartfulwater supply standsat the centre of the towerdescription. Its sophistication is a pars pro toto for the unlimited technical possibilities available to the Amiral because of his enormouspower andeconomicopportunities. Theartful andalso artificialwater supplywhich 33 The text is quoted from ‘FloreundBlanscheflur’, ed. Putzo 2015, here verses 4224–4234 (translationM.D.-K.). 34WhenA.Classen reads thewater supply in theBabylonian towerasadocumentof standard ‘bathroomtechno- logy […] amongst thehighest social classes’ (Classen 2017, 473), hedownplays theobvious remarks characterizing thewater supply as absolutely outstandingandextraordinary.