 The legend was developed into a vivid history by François-René de Chateaubriand (1768–1848) and also by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814–1879).During the Romantic era, other writers have had the brotherhood executing bridges throughout Europe and even in countries as far away as Britain and Sweden (although there was never any historical report of such extensive activities).The "Frères Pontifes" are a legend without any historical background.