Civilization.ca - VMNF - The Seigneurs

Duties of the Seigneur

The seigneur had to carry out a whole series of duties prescribed for him. He was supposed to live on his estate, that is to say, tenir feu et lieu (maintain a residence.) He would usually pick the most scenic or the most cultivable land for the site of his manor house. This area was called the domaine réservé (reserved domain.) On taking possession of his fief he had immediately to perform the acte de foi et hommage (ceremony of fealty and homage.)

The ceremony of fealty and homage

Within forty days of taking up possession, the seigneur had to present an aveu et dénombrement (description and enumeration) of the lands ceded to him.

The first grain planted on the newly cleared land was always wheat, bread being the staple diet of the censitaires (peasant tenants.) It was the seigneur's duty to build the seigneurie flour mill for the use of all in common. In order to cover the cost of building and maintaining the mill, the seigneur had the right to collect a mouture (milling) fee.

The seigneurial mill at Saint-Charles-des-Roches

The rights of the seigneurs were limited. Those who neglected to cede their lands and populate the seigneurie could lose title to it. They were bound to cede land to any engagé whose contract had already run three to five years; he could not be refused without reasonable cause. A seigneur might not, for example, cut down any of the oak trees on his land; like the mineral deposits, they remained the property of the state. If he sold his seigneurie, a tax called the quint (literally, one fifth), aimed against using the royal concessions for land speculation, became payable immediately.

Important Notices