A trip to Brittany…

A trip to Brittany…The Flaugergues archives contain a remarkable notebook of Breton origin dating from the 18^th century. It is a register of confessions and declarations of lands and fiefs held by Louis René Le Sénéchal, baron de Carcado, du Bot-au-Sénéchal, de Brohaix, baron de Queslen, comte d’Aspigné, seigneur d’Assigné, de Malville, des Catelnies, du Guet de l’Isle, de La Rivière, de La Seillée and de Bellisle (October 13, 1740). The confession was made to Louis Marie Dominique de Rohan-Chabot, Duke of Rohan, Peer of France, Prince of Léon, Marquis of Blain, Count of Porhoët.

The register entered the de Mauléon family through the marriage of Edouard Le sénéchal, marquis de Carcado-Molac (1791-1866) to Amélie-Jeanne de Mauléon (1803-1878). By inheritance, it subsequently passed into the de Villèle family and then to the Saizieu family, owners of Flaugergues in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

Confession book bearing the arms of the Marquis de Carcado, parchment,

Confession book bearing the arms of the Marquis de Carcado, parchment, gold and silk thread binding, Brittany, 18^th century.

Archives du château de Flaugergues. Côte 424 ©All rights reserved.

What is a confession?

In feudal law, this is a written deed in which a vassal lists in detail the lands, rents and obligations he holds from his suzerain (by acquisition or inheritance).

Aveu is the name given to this type of deed in Brittany, while elsewhere in the kingdom of France it is known as Dénombrement.