The Seigneurie Feudalism: “Canadien” Style (Module 2 – Section I #2) Seigneur Manor House

The Seigneurial System First seigneuries granted in 1623. Initial phase devised by Cardinal Richelieu; extended and strengthened under Jean Talon. Crown “granted” land titles to deserving individuals (e.g. noblemen, wealthy commoners, soldiers) and institutions (e.g. church). By the end of the French Regime (1760) there were about 250 seigneuries. Seigneurial system abolished in 1854.

Purpose of the Seigneuries Designed to attract permanent settlers in colony (Agricultural settlement). Land granted to a seigneur (lord) on condition he clear and develop the land. Seigneur brought in farmers (censitaires) who lived and worked on the land. Censitaires paid lease and had obligations to their seigneurs (i.e. paid annual rent cens et rentes and tax on the sale of property lods et ventes). Censitaires worked 3 to 4 days for free (corvee) for the seigneur. Censitaires rented land passed down to eldest son. Seigneur held minor court to settle petty disputes.

Lives of the Seigneurs The seigneurs were generally noblemen, wealthy commoners, and soldiers. They took an oath to the King, and were expected to live on their seigneuries, collecting rents and dues from their censitaires. In reality, the money they made from the seigneuries (the cens et rentes and other dues) was often not enough to cover the costs of maintaining the land. As such, many seigneurs lived in towns (or back in France) had other sources of income.

Governor of New France granting a seigneurie

The Lives of the Censitaires "They themselves are the horses and bullocks. They drag and carry wood, trees and stones; they burn the undergrowth, uproot tree stumps, till and harrow the ground, and sow the first seed in the furrows where the plough has passed." Alfred Cambray

Habitants at Play!!

Purpose of the Seigneuries cont’d Please use your grids to fill out the rights and duties of both the Seigneur and the Censitaires (a.k.a. l’habitant) Use N.S. p.32-33 D.P. p. 80

Layout of a Seigneurie Many seigneuries bordered a river (St. Lawrence, Richelieu, Saguenay). Seigneur kept a large piece of land for himself (domaine). Manor house (seigneur’s house), gristmill, church, presbytery, and cemetery were near domaine. Seigneurie land along river (1st rangee) divided into lots (concessions) that were long and narrow rectangles (3 by 30 arpents = 175 by 1755 meters). Later, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rangees were added inland along a road (montee) that was usually straight. Montee passed between 2 narrow farm lots connecting the rangees. Smaller pieces of land called “abouts.” Animals grazed on common pasture called a “commune.”

The beautiful seigneurie

Seigneurial map

Seigneuries

Original Intent Colony would grow in population and become more self-supporting. Effective way in developing land in an organized manner without costing the French crown a fortune. Was it a success?....well…sort of…

Outcome / Result Not entirely successful. Seigneurs not really intrerested in hiring “agents” in France to attract potential colonizers. Too COSTLY for seigneur. Only lands along the St. Lawrence were populated, the rest of Quebec was left vacant. Seigneurs rarely lived in their manors. Lived in town or France. Censitaires’ children had little chance of getting formal school education. On the upshot, seigneuries became a “canadien” thing. The foundation of a quebecois / habitants identity emerged. Censitaires did live better than their counterparts in France. Had more land, better conditions, little contact with social hierarchy.