Madame De Poutrincourt
(1567-1615)
Marie Claude Pajot was born about 1570 into a wealthy Bourgeoise family of Paris; the daughter of Isaac Pajot, Seigneur de Guibermesnil, and Catherine Gaudet de Guibermesnil. She had an older brother Valentin and younger sister Catherine, who would marry Jean de La Motte. Her family had made their fortune in animal fat, or more precisely the tallow rendered to make candles, a necessary commodity before the invention of electricity.
The Pajot family had risen the ranks, through strategic marriages, and now enjoyed the best of both worlds. Aristocratic enough to enjoy the benefits of high sociey, yet bourgeoise enough to have the money to do it. They were also for the most part, tolerant of other religions; recognizing that the Hugenots were the best business partners, while the Catholics held most of the real power.
Before going ahead with Marie Claude's story, it is important to first understand a bit about French society, since this class structure would later surface in 'New France'. Aside from the obvious Royals and high-ranking nobility, there were four main classifications: The Seigneurs, who had most of the land, the Bourgeoise, who had most of the money; the Clergy, who had most of the power aside from the King, and the Peasants, who represented the working class and farmers; who made it possible for the seigneurs to keep their land, the Bourgeoise to make their money and the Clergy to hold their power.
Every aspect of domestic duty was handled by a 'Master' or 'Steward', with a small staff of their own: A Grand Butler, Stewards of the Kitchen, Bakery, Cellar and Fruit (which included spices) and the Furnishings (including the tapestries). The grounds would require a Master of the Hunt, A Master of the Stables, A Master of the Forests and Water, and Steward of Lodging (when the Baron was travelling).
The more affluent would also employ physicians, constables, barbers, priests, painters, musicians, minstrels, secrataries, copyists, an astrologer, a jester, a dwarf, squires and pages. Considering that all of these people, as well as a garrison of usually about 500 soldiers, all had to be paid by the Siegneur, it could be quite a drain on the pocketbook; and since outward appearance was important as a statement of status, you had to maintain a large staff, whether you needed them or not. Many noble families joined forces through the marriages of their children, and combined titles were passed on from one generation to the next. This class of people were referred to as the “Second Estate”, just below the Royal Family.
The King, in turn, would do his best to keep his Seigneurs happy; since he depended on them to provide the armies, who could be called upon when France was in trouble. Because of this, they were not required to pay taxes and it soon became another status symbol; since only the peasants and “Bourgeoise” would appear on the Tax Rolls.
When not providing armies for the King, these Noblemen sought out other battles, because their primary role was to fight, and they needed the 'spoils of war' to keep their coffers full. Since there was a fierce rivalry between the various “Houses” of the Second Estate, this meant that their enemies were anyone with valuable property, or those who wanted yours.
Sadly, it was often the peasant who paid the price. Because the castles were heavily guarded, armies would attack the Serf farmers, killing or maiming them (the most common practice was to cut off their feet), thereby hindering their seigneur’s ability to make money. This would then force the hand of their opponent to “come out and fight”, something the knights wanted in the first place. If successful in defeating their attackers, they would often gain additonal land to add to their estates. If they lost the battle they went home to lick their wounds until the next opportunity arose.
Only noblemen were allowed to own horses, and the animal became the symbol of power, since it was the mount that lifted him above other men, literally and figurativly. Therefore, these 'Knights' became known as Chevaliers, or “men on horseback”. No doubt this is where the expression 'come down off your high horse', originated.
The Knight also clung to his sword and shield, which were emblazoned with the family crest, as a sign of identity. The Heraldic Coat of Arms was an outward sign of ancestry signifying the right to bear arms.
From ownership of land and revenues, the Knight/Nobleman/Chevalier/Baron/Seigneur; had the right to exercise authority over all those living within his territory, except the clergy or merchants who were citizins of a “free town” (the Bourgeoise).
Hence the Noble families began to resent these “upstarts”, especially as they were able to build fortified manors of their own; but nothing angered them more than the imitation of their clothing and manners. Magnificence in dress was considered a “right of birth” to the upper class, so like prohibiton, laws were passed to ensure that clothing actually did identify the man. This meant that those not of Noble birth, were expressly forbidden to wear clothing that did not fit in with their status as “commoners”. An exact graduation of fabric, colour, fur trimming, ornaments and jewels were laid down and proclaimed by the criers and at public assemblies.
Undaunted, many of the 'lower class', purchased finer garments, but kept them hidden in closets, only wearing them with friends. If a Nobleman suspected a commoner of owning these finer things he was within his rights to send a magistrate to their home with a warrant and confiscate anything that was considered contraband, keeping them for themselves and their families. Much cheaper than having them made.
So now an enterprising, rent paying serf, could buy or inherit their freedom and after purchasing property for himself, have tenants of his own. Then, since it was very costly to maintain Knighthood, a peasant on his way up might pass a knight on his way down, opening an avenue for him to “rise above his station” by marrying the daughter of this down on his luck Baron. This then earned him the right to be called a Baron or 'Sieur' himself. Such was the case of Marie Claude's father, when he married her mother, and acquired the siegneury of Guibermesnil.
This practice was still in place when those exiled to Louisiana during the French Revolution, married into the Nouveau Riche Acadian families to finance their lifestyle, thereby passing their inherited titles onto their spouses. Of course this meant very little when the United States purchased the region and all were part of a democratic US government, but it's fun to find some of these old titles attributed to our Acadian ancestors. Lord knows, they earned them....but I digress.
With this merging of the classes, new laws needed to be put in place, so that costume would once again set you apart from the rest. So now, territorial Lords with an income of 6,000 Livres could order four costumes a year. Knights, three; one of which had to summer weight. Boys or Squires with an annual income of less than 1, 000 livres a year, could only order one new costume per year. This continued down with merchants, tradesmen, etc.; all designed to identify a person’s station in life.
On the other side of the scale; Peasants were only allowed to wear clothing of black or brown and Prostitutes had to wear striped dresses or be forced to turn their garment inside out.
To be excommunicated, meant that you were a social outcast. The parish priests read your crimes at least twice a year to the congregation until the offender made amends or performed penance. Of course a large donation to the church didn’t hurt either. Until such time the sinner was cut off from all social and occupational relationships. If the sinner died without doing penance, candles were snuffed, and crosses and missels laid on the floor while the funeral was in progress.
However, the Bourgeoise were forbidden to own a carriage or wear ermine, though in some places magistrates and doctors were exempt from this. A Bourgeois wife was not allowed to wear multi-colored gowns, checks or stripes; figured velvet, brocade or fabric embroidered in silver or gold.
This class was then divided between employers and employees and covered a wide range of professions including merchants, magistrates, lawyers, physicians, skilled craftsmen, day labourers and peasants. There were even some members of the nobility who preferred this style of living so denounced their lineage and inherited title. If their children did the same, then that birth right would be forfeited forever. The disappearance of noble families was estimated at 50% per century, so the fact that your ancestor may have been a merchant, didn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t of noble birth (not that that's necesssarily a good thing). Many of this class later became Hugenots, since the Reformed Church was more conducive to conducting business.
