[83] _Hierro_ means _iron_; _yerro_, a _fault, faux pas_. Thus glossed, the somewhat feeble pleasantry or pun is able to explain itself. [Illustration: XXVI _REJA_ OF THE _CASA DE LAS CONCHAS_ (_Salamanca_)] It is curious, in the foregoing narrative, to read of Morisco craftsmen working as late as 1600, and as far north as Castile. Perhaps the notice of Moriscos doing Spanish iron-work may be traced to certain Ordinances of Granada, published about three-quarters of a century before. On October 14th, 1522, the councillors of that town confabulated very lengthily and seriously as to the damage caused by "balconies and _rejas_ in the streets, fixed in the basements and the lower rooms of houses, or projecting portals which extend beyond the level of the wall. For we have witnessed, and do witness daily, numerous mishaps to wayfarers, alike on horseback and on foot, whether by day or night, because the highways, narrow in themselves, are rendered yet more narrow by such balconies and _rejas_. Whereas in winter persons seeking to escape the filth by keeping to the wall are thwarted, or at night-time injured, by these _rejas_. Or yet in summer, when the waters swell, and conduits burst and overflow the middle of the street, then neither can they keep the middle of the way, nor pass aside (by reason of the balconies aforesaid) to its edges." Having regard to all these grievances, the councillors decreed that "none of whatsoever order or condition shall dare henceforth to place, or cause to be placed, about the lower floors or entrance of their dwelling, _rejas_ or iron balconies, or anything projecting much or little from the level of the wall. But all projections shall be set three yards, not any less, above the street. If not so much, they shall be set within the wall, on pain of a fine of ten thousand _maravedis_, and five thousand _maravedis_ to the mason and the carpenter that shall repair their fixing. Further, we order that all balconies and _rejas_ now at a height of less than the aforesaid three yards be taken away within three days from the crying in public of these Ordinances."[84] [84] These laws affecting balconies were not, or not as time went on, restricted to Granada. "Nobody," prescribes the general Spanish code in force in 1628, "shall make a balcony or oversailing part to fall upon the street, nor yet rebuild or repair any that shall fall."--Pradilla, _Suma de Todas las Leyes Penales, Canonicas, Civiles, y destos Reynos_.