Rumblings of Dissent in the Countryside
1530
Reference : Archives Nationales de France, X1a 1533 Conseil
12 September
3/6/24
In the Parlement of Paris
This day Brother Jehan Thierry, Brother of the Order of St. Francis de Paula of the convent of Amiens, informed the court that last Advent and Lent he preached in the city of Amiens and during this period and after he was told that in the diocese of Amiens there were and still are a number of persons of dubious religious probity (mal sentans de la foy), suspected of being infected with the beliefs of the Lutheran sect.
Among other warnings about this he was told at a place called Merlon by the Dames de Gapane, de la Roche, de Gournay and de Labeige that the Dame of Aurigny was a member of this sect; the said ladies had heard her say that it was not necessary to fast during Lent; in Amiens he heard from several other noble ladies along with the Dame de Gournay, that they had heard the Dame of Aurigny complain of the injustice of the sentence carried out against the late [Louis] Berquin which she blamed on Master Pierre Lizet, first president [of the Court of Parlement], insisting that Berquin died for the faith and was a martyr as was St. Laurence.
Additionally, while he was in the city of Abbeville, Brother Thierry was advised that there was a Dominican Brother who had preached there that Purgatory did not exist, and that there was no need to pray for the dead or ask for the intercession of the saints, and that the pardons issued by the Pope were worthless -- and many other such errors against the faith and thinking of the church, with the result that the majority of the residents of the village of Senarpont were contaminated with those errors.
Moreover, he heard at Montdidier that the Sieur de Cardonnet, his mother, and a school teacher opined publically that members of the monastic orders [committed by rule to chastity] could and should marry and on occasion the said Louis and his mother would say to the Sisters of the Order of St. Francis of Montdidier when the Sisters came to them asking for alms that they should go get married and earn a living!
[These accounts continue for a bit further; the Parlement names two of its judges to travel to the area to investigate]
Morand Books
Chapitre de la Cathédrale d’Amiens
Declaration des livres….Jean Morand, lesquelz sont ordonnez estre brûlés en ceste ville d’Amiens
Primes, ung grant livre couvert de cuir rouge : Martini Lutheri in Psalmos, merqué par dessus A
Item ung petit livrea marqué B qui est Branchii et Martini Lutheri
Ung aultre petit livre, qui est Lutheri in Genesim, Zingli (sic) in Exodium merqué C
Ung autre Pomerani in Psalmos, merqué D
Ung aultre merque E, Martini Lutheri et institutione pro conjugio sacerdotali.
Item, /ung autre merqué F, Zinglii in Genesim.
Ung aultre petit livre merque G, Branchii in Job.
Ung aultre Bartholomei Vostanni Tropi Scripture, merque H
Ung grand livre Zingli in Prophetas, merque J
Ung grand livre merque K, Publicam in librum Josue.
Ung petit livre merque M, Collampadii in Osiam.
Ung petit livre merque N, Martini Brancheri in Matheum
Un petit livre, Melantonis in Genesim, merque P.
Ung petit livre, merque V, Martini Bucherii in Epistolam ad Epheseos, et Melanthonis ad Collocenses.
Ung autre merque X, Melantonis super Proverbia.
Ung autre merque Z Martini Lutheri, de Sacramento Altaris
Item, ung aultre merque X, Pomerani, in Deuteronomium.
Ung merque 9, Pomeranim in Epistolam ad Romanos.
Tertium alphabetum
Ung livre Johannes Agricole de Epistola ad Tithon , merque G IIIe/
Ung livre merque J IIIe Zinglii de Eucharistia.
Ung livre merque O IIIe, escript dudit Morand.
Ung livre merque S IIIe escript dudit Morand
Ung livre merque T IIIe esrcipt dudit Morand
Ung livre merque V IIIe escript dudit Morand
Ung livre merque Y IIIe escript dudit Morand
Ung livre Wandalmi Repigii. Quod expedit magis audire verbum Dei uam missam, merque Z IIIe.
Ung sacq cotte & IIIe, auquel sont plusieurs letters missives et apiers escriptz de la main dudit Moran merquees de ces motz de ces motz : Pater noster qui es in celis. Ung livre merque par dessus de la latter de 9 IIIe, Policani in Rut et Frederici Nausee in communes Evangeliorum locus.
Morand’s Books and Manuscripts burned in Paris
Livre imprime Propositio ecciana and Ennarationes epistolarum et evangeliorum
quas postillas vocant domini Martini Lutheri marque A IIIe.
Livre imprime D. Erasmi Rotherodani Ad collations Titelmani opus rescens marquee
D IIIe
Livre imprime Pro inscriptione ejusdam epistole Martini Lutheri epistola, etc.
marque F IIIe
Petit livre imprime De vera libertate evangelica sub duodecim assertionum et viginti
errorum positionibus eilquata lucubratio, etc. marquee H IIIe.
Livre imprime Ad victoriam super cerva matutina psalmus David, etc marquee M
IIIe
Livre imprime Cristus semel pro peccatis nostris mortuus est Justus pro injustis et
De Christi supllicio dicturus, etc. marquee N IIIe
Secundum alphabetum
A IIe , ung livre couvert de vert, Johannis Hus.
Ung aultre merqué B IIe Vesselli et Colampadii
Ung petit livre merque C IIe, Branchii in Ecclesiastem.
Ung grand livre merque D IIe de Potestate pape.
Ung petit livre merque F IIe Vivo discedentium.
Ung livre merque H II, Bucherii in Matheum
Ung livre merque J IIe, Collampadii in Danielem
Ung livre merque K IIe Martini Bucherii in Johannem.
Ung livre merque L IIe Andree Altameri
Ung livre merque M IIe Melanthonis et Lutheri ad Romanos.
Ung livre merque N IIe Johannis Branchii (not Martini?) in Johannem
Ung livre merque O IIe Johannis Agricole in Lucam
Ung petit livre merque Q IIe, Matini Cellarii
Ung livre merque R IIE Lutherii in allegoria psalmorum
Ung livre merque S IIe, Annotatines in Detronomium, la ou le nom de l’auteur est dechire.
Ung livre merque T IIe Vellani De libero arbitrio, et Branchii de Republica
Ung livre merque V IIé Tropi in sacra
Ung livre merque par dessus X IIe, Quingentorum articulorum Martini Lutheri
Ung livre. merque Z IIe Melanthonis de Legibus
Ung livre merque X IIe nomme Psalterium pellicani
Ung livre merque 9 IIe, Urbani Regii de doctrina nova, et Ferrago Francisci Lamberti.
3/6/24
Women and men targeted for
“Lutheranism” in the 1540s
Damoiselle Ysabeau De Raincheval
The widespread judicial pursuits of suspected Protestants in the bailliage of Amiens in July 1544 elicited this eloquent request to the town council by a concerned local noblewoman:
“Damoisellle Ysabeau de Raincheval humbly observes that because of the diversity of preaching, the banning of books which had been authorized until recently, and the fact that the articles [of religion] newly approved by the King had not yet been published, a number of simple [i.e ordinary/common] folk of this city, not thinking any harm by it, have been led [seduictz] to utter remarks against the holy catholic faith, which have caused the authorities to proceed against them with rigor including by imprisonment of their persons and seizure of their property, circumstances of which some of their enemies have taken advantage to make false accusation against them with the results that as of today these poor inhabitants of the city are in some cases prisoners, in others fugitives, to the great distress of their families and friends…
Source: A.M. Series BB Deliberations of the Town Council
The Criminal Registers of the Parlement of Paris show the substance of what Damoiselle de Raincheval was decrying. Here are three minutes of interrogations of accused Protestants from Amiens
Three Interrogations before the Parlement of Paris
documents were translated from the French originals by David Rosenberg, file: ConsolProtTrans July 1, 2024.
Jehan Warocquier, 1544
September 26
Did he know Morand in Amiens? – said that he did.
Did he know Morand had been condemned as a heretic?
Did he say that the Truth would be known and that Morand had begun to open up the Truth?
He said that he had in his hands a book entitled “The Fountain of Life”
Why did he say those words that soon the Truth would be known?
-- said he didn’t recognize having said that.
Asked who is Fouache?-- said that he is a barber from Amiens.
What company does he keep with the said Fouache
-- says he doesn’t keep any and knows nothing more about him.
Asked who is the man mentioned in the charges against him?
-- says he has no idea.
4/9/24
Pierre Guenard 1544
July 17, 1544
Francois de Fenyn, 1544
July 11
He’s from Amiens, father’s profession (blank), he is an apothecary;
he studied in Amiens.
he doesn’t know how to speak Latin or only a little.
He sometimes attended preachers’ meetings,
he never heard somebody named Morand preach;
he once heard the Augustinian friar who preached in Amiens.
Did he have books from those from Amiens? – yes.
Never heard any propositions from the pulpits.
Did he speak about purgatory and that there was no such thing?
-- he never spoke about it.
Did he speak about the councils of the church and that they were made by popes and cardinals out of avarice?
-- he said that he didn’t say this himself but he once heard a Franciscan friar say it but that he himself believed they were well made.
Did he say that a man who had lively faith, in eating a morsel of bread, ate the body of our Lord?
-- he said he never said those words and said that the judge who handled his case at the local level seemed somewhat prejudiced.
Did he say that it was foolhardy and served no purpose to deck out the churches with chasubles and other things --- he said no.
Did he say there was no danger eating a morsel of ham on Easter whether before one attended Mass and took communion or after?
Did he say that the sole passion of our Lord had effaced and purged all of our sins?
–he said no.
He was shown a book that he said he had annotated in several places.
July 12
Cases before the Parlement of Paris
In the Grand Chamber
Said he was from Amiens, a shoemaker ("savetier") (or a weaver?) ("saietier") and his father as well. Learned his seven psalms, has no books other than his “Hours”
Did he say that priests were nothing but the devil? -- No.
Did he have it in for priests? – No
Did not say that there was no need to place candles before images of the saints but has always done his duty as a Christian.
Did not say that it was unnecessary to pray to God for the dead and that at the hour of bodily extinction the soul was either saved or damned.
Did he say that a person did not need to believe that after the priest had blessed the sacramental wafer it was anything more than dough or grain and not the body of Jesus Christ? – No.
Nor did he utter the words touching the crucifix.
Did he say that he did not believe that the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was in the sacramental wafer after it had been consecrated? -- He did not say that.
On the contrary he believed it was just as much there as it was in the tree of the cross/
This decision of the Parlement follows on the interrogation of Pierre Guenard on 12 July 1544 (See Three Interrogations)
“Seen by the Court the criminal case brought by the Bailly of Amiens against Pierre Guenard, prisoner in the Conciergerie of the Palais on a charge of heresy, the conclusions rendered by the sollicitor general of the King and hearing and examining the prisoner regarding the said case, and all considered,
The court orders that to know the truth from the mouth of the said prisoner regarding the crime of heresy, the said prisoner is to be subjected to torture and extreme measures of interrogation, in order after that to do what is appropriate.
P.Lizet Gayant
And it is to be kept in the mind of the Court that if during the said torture he does not confess to anything, nonetheless he is to be punished short of death. That is to say he will be condemned to make honorable amend, feet bare and head uncovered and wearing a plain tunic, holding in his hands a burning candle weighing two pounds as he attends a high mass on a holiday or Sunday, celebrated in the Cathedral of Amiens. After the said mass, the prisoner is to be whipped around the perimeter of the said church. This done, he shall be shut up and confined in a monastery or other place of detention of the said Amiens and there live out the remainder of his days.”
P. Lizet Gayant
This decision of the Parlement follows on the interrogation of Pierre Guenard on 12 July 1544 (See Three Interrogations)
“Seen by the Court the criminal case brought by the Bailly of Amiens against Pierre Guenard, prisoner in the Conciergerie of the Palais on a charge of heresy, the conclusions rendered by the sollicitor general of the King and hearing and examining the prisoner regarding the said case, and all considered,
The court orders that to know the truth from the mouth of the said prisoner regarding the crime of heresy, the said prisoner is to be subjected to torture and extreme measures of interrogation, in order after that to do what is appropriate.
P.Lizet Gayant
And it is to be kept in the mind of the Court that if during the said torture he does not confess to anything, nonetheless he is to be punished short of death. That is to say he will be condemned to make honorable amend, feet bare and head uncovered and wearing a plain tunic, holding in his hands a burning candle weighing two pounds as he attends a high mass on a holiday or Sunday, celebrated in the Cathedral of Amiens. After the said mass, the prisoner is to be whipped around the perimeter of the said church. This done, he shall be shut up and confined in a monastery or other place of detention of the said Amiens and there live out the remainder of his days.”
P. Lizet
Gayant Judges of the Court of Parlement
A final decision regarding Pierre Guenard (see Interrogations), 31 July 1544
Ref: AN X2B6 in packet dated ultima July 44
“Seen by the Court the denials made by Pierre Guenard, prisoner in the Conciergerie of the Palais in Paris, after being put to torture and extreme forms of interrogation by the Provost of Paris or his lieutenant following our instructions of 12 July by reason of the crime of heresy… The Court for reparation of the said crime condemns the said Guenard prisoner to make honorable amend, feet bare and head uncovered and wearing a plain tunic, holding in his hands a burning candle weighing two pounds as he attends a high mass on a holiday or Sunday, celebrated in the Cathedral of Amiens. After the said mass, the prisoner is to be whipped around the perimeter of the said church. This done, he shall be shut up and confined in a monastery or other place of detention of the said Amiens and there live out the remainder of his days.”
P. Lizet
Gayant Judges of the Court of Parlement
4/9/24
Magdalaine La Guache, 1544
September 4
Cases before Parlement of Paris
“Viewed by the Court the criminal case brought by the Bailly of Amiens against Magdalaine La Guache prisoner in the Conciergerie for the crime of heresy of which she was found guilty, as is more fully explained in the dossier, the conclusions reached by the solicitor general of the king, and heard and interrogated by the court the said prisoner…
The court for reparation of the crime condemns the said Magdalaine to attend a high mass celebrated in the great church of Saint Jehan of Amiens during which she is to be kneeling and holding in her hands a burning candle … which she is to present at the offering of the mass. And at the issue of the mass, the Court condemns the said prisoner to make honorable amend before the principal door of the church from a scaffold which will be erected for the purpose. And there she is to say and declare in loud voice that maliciously and indiscreetly and as one ill advised she uttered and expressed a number of scandalous words and erroneous views against the honor of God and the sacred Christian faith and religion, for all of which she repents and begs pardon and mercy from God, the King, and the Courts. This done she is to be beaten and whipped with switches through the streets and squares of the city of Amiens, with a rope around her neck and exhibited for three days in the stocks of the city; and following this, she is to be banished in perpetuity from the realm…and her property forfeited to whomever it pertains.”
P. Lizet Barthelemy Judges of the Parlement
In an added provision, the court orders the Bailly of Amiens or his lieutenant to find and apprehend Nicolas Vaillant, Magdalaine’s husband, and prosecute him for the charges lying against him.
rev 4/7/2024ab
Jehan Cuvellier known as “Patinier”, 1546
January 29
Cases before Parlement of Paris
“Viewed by the Court the criminal case brought by the Bailly of Amiens or his lieutenant against Jehan Cuvellier, known as “Patinier” prisoner in the prisons of the Conciergerie of the Palace in Paris for the crime of heresy found against him and also for having thrown into the river Somme a statue and likeness of the Virgin Mary which was in front of the house of the late Vincent Nicquet situated in the parish of St. Firmin on the Street of the Tanners in the said city of Amiens….; the conclusions of the solicitor general of the King, …, and everything considered,
The Court by way of reparation for the said crime condemns the said Cuvellier to attend a high mass in his parish church celebrated on a holiday or Sunday in honor of the Virgin Mary and to present a burning candle of one pound weight at the offering of the mass. Thereafter in the presence of the vicar of the said church and royal officers in Amiens he will be obligated to present and restore the statue of the Virgin Mary to the place from where it had been forcibly wrested, and he is forbidden henceforth to make any erroneous and scandalous statements…dogmatize…posses any books containing novel doctrines especially printed ones, or keep company with suspect individuals; but he is commanded to conduct himself honestly like a good Catholic and Christian should under penalty of fire.” The Bailly and other royal officers are enjoined to be present at the carrying out of the sentence.
ref: A.N., X2a100
rev 4/7/2024ab
Adam le Maistre (weaver), 1544
November 21
Cases before Parlement of Paris
“Viewed by the Court the criminal case brought by the Bailly of Amiens or his lieutenant against Adam le Maistre, known as “Sahyer,” weaver, prisoner in the Conciergerie for erroneous and scandalous statements uttered by him against the honor of God, the Virgin Mary, the sacred Christian faith and religion, constitutions and traditions of our Holy Mother Church; the conclusions of the solicitor general of the King, and heard and interrogated the said prisoner regarding the said case, and everything considered,
The Court by way of reparation for the said crime commands that the said Adam le Maistre prisoner be led from the royal prisons of Amiens in a cart (charette) or tumbrel to the public square of the city and there raised up onto a scaffold which shall be erected for the purpose and upon which he shall be strangled; this done, a fire shall be built under the scaffold and the body of the prisoner set on fire and burned and his body converted to ashes, as also the dossier of his case; his goods are declared forfeit to those to whom it pertains, and. to put the present sentence into effect, the Court remands the prisoner in his present condition before the Bailly of Amiens or his lieutenant.”
ref: A.N. X2a97
rev 4/7/2024ab
Refugees from Amiens to Geneva, 1550-1560
From Geisendorf, Livre des Habitants
Francois de Barly, sergier, 4 September 1551
Ambroise Le Poyvre, 4 September 1551
Nicolas Bolefroy, contrepoinctier, 7 September 1551
Nicolas Piece, sargier, 15 October 1551
Firmin Lardy, tapissier, 16 May 1553
Jehan Maigret, 13 August 1554
Jehan Cuneclier, sergier, 10 December 1554
Ambroise Petit, sargier et faiseur de demy ostade, 17 December 1554
Jehan fils de Henry Sohalle, 1 June 1556
Fremyn de Malhoizet, filz de Nicolas de Malhoizet, 14 December 1556
Frann., fils de Renault de Courcelles, 8 March 1557
Jehan de Lovencour, taneur, 10 May 1557
Jehan Vaquete, sergier, 15 October 1557
Jacques de Ce, 18 October 1557
Loys Carpentier, 18 October 1557
Anthoine du Four, menuisier, 15 November 1557
Maximilien Gamien d’Amian 12 December 1558
Robert de Lourencourt, affaicteur, 26 December 1558
Gregoire Gonin, 8 May 1559
Ozias Courcelles, velloutier, 22 May 1559
Jacques Mercier, maitre cordier, 4 September 1559
Pierre de Guienne, sargier, 18 September 1559
Nicolas fils de Regnault de Courcelles, 1 Janaury 1560
__________________________________________________________________
FG Nicolas Pieche, saiteur, 6 June 1547 St. Germain
X2B Jan !547 (48?) “propos scandaleux et erronnes”
Jehan Maigret
Ragueau Geneva notary, takes on Bon Bluet from Amiens on 1 Jan 1563 (for a year) and others at various times to teach them the trade of passementier. Maigret normally works in the shop of a certain Pierre Marcayz
Ambroise Pêtu dit Languedoree
Weiss C.A. 1549
A letter to Calvin concerning the flock in Amiens and Montdidier in 1558
“The Pastor Jean Macard, on loan for several months to the church of Paris [from the Genevan Company of Pastors], had occasion during the summer of 1558 to visit the province of Picardy, at that time theatre of the war between France and Spain. On 28 August 1558 Macard wrote to Calvin:
“At Amiens I consoled some of the brethren, encouraging them to seek a remedy to their ills by calling upon God’s name and by the reading of his Word. I did the same at Montdidier, and the faithful of these two cities propose to ask you to send a skilled minister to guide them…Several brethren have also come together in Clermont and in Luzarches…
From Samuel Mours, Le Protestantisme en France au XVIe siècle Paris, 1959, p. 135, note 9bis. 1560
Adrien Sanson
August 7, 1560
Ordinances of the city of Amiens:
“Anyone who knows the whereabouts of a man named Adrien Sanson… living in Geneva, purveyor of false books and false doctrines who, night just past, escaped from the prisons of the Belfry, dressed only in his nightshirt, to which prisons he had been confined for the crime of heresy; a man of medium height, black hair, a small beard, and a broad face, about 32 years of age; such person or persons should immediately come forward, while ensuring that the said Adrien is safely in custody, in which case a reward of 10 écus soleil will be forthcoming from the treasury. However, if it should come to light that any person has hidden or concealed him, or in any way assisted in rescuing him, that person will be punished with the same punishment that the said Adrien merited for having fostered and espoused his crime of heresy.”
rev 4/7/2024ab
rev 4/6/2024ab
“Reconciliations” of Children
Baptized Protestant 1562-1572
1562
Martin Brasseur, SF Con, 11 April 1562, “Josue” uses term “reconciled”
“Jacques Magerez, SF Con, 12 April 1562, “Isaye” uses term “reconciled
Vaspasien Braie and Jehanne (blank), SF Con, 15 June 1562, “Marie” “reconciled”
Jehan de Mazi and Francoise (blank) his wife, SF Con, 15 June 1562, “Hierosme” “reconciled”
Nicolas Frelin and Jehanne le Febvre, SFCon, 15 June 1562, “Judic” “spur-maker” “godparents several persons in attendance”
Jehan de Bellemaniere and Jehenne Pied de Cherf, SFCon, 15 June 1562, “Marie” “Godparents could not similarly be determined because of the press of people in attendance.”
Guiot de le Lye, St. Leu, 15 June 1562, “Perrigne” “born 15 April 1562”
Henri Guenard, St. Leu, 15 June 1562, “Daniel” “born 20 December 1561”
Noel Cailleux, St. Leu, 15 June 1562, “Jehan” “born 1 January 1562”
Adrien Bulletel, St. Leu, 15 June 1562, “Mathieu,” “born 3 Janaury1562”
Jehan de la Valllee, St. Leu, 15 June 1562, “Suzanne” “born 5 April 1562”
Jehan le Vasseur, St. Leu, 15 June 1562, “Marie” “born 8 April 1562”
Philippes de la Housoie ?
1568
Anthoine Bernard, SFCon, 26 April 1568 “Abraham” uses term reconciled
Jehan de Pre, SFCon, 30 April 1568 “Eliachim” uses term “reconciled”
Jehan Wiart (Hinart) and Marie de le Folye, St. Remy, 24 April 1568, “Marye” “hu”
Jehan Poulier (hucq) and Guillemette Decle, St. Remy 25 April 1568, “Susanne” “huc Rue de la narynne”
Nicolas Le Clercq and Catherine le Gard, St. Remy, 26 April 1568, “Jehan” “huc Rue de na”
Jacques du Myny, St. Remy, 26 April 1568, “Marie,” “hu rue des louvetz”
Pierre le Sueur and Jacqueline Fourdrin, St. Remy, 26 April 1568 “hu”
Tristan le Febvre, St. Remy, 27 April, “Susanne” “ “13 or 14 months old” “h” in margin
Quentin Barbier, St. Remy, 29 April 1568, “Susanne” and “Marie” “h” in margin
Philippe Lus and Marie Hennebert, St. Remy, 2 May 1568, “Susanne” “hu Rue rabuisson”
1572
Claude Burleret, St. Germain, Tuesday, 7 October 1572, “Ysabeau” uses term
Anthoine Chocquet, St. Germain, Thursday, 9 October 1572, “Jehan” and “Jacques”
Jehan de Mons, St. Germain, Thursday, 9 October 1572, “Marye” and “Jehan”
Toussains de Mortroeux, St. Germain, Saturday 11 October 1572, “Jehan”
Jehan (?)Wyot, St. Germain, Sunday, 12 October 1572, “Jacques” (?)
Pierre Le Cocq and Mestiol Jollet, St Sulpice, Wednesday, 8 October 1572, “Susanne” uses term
Laurens Rolland, St. Sulpice, Thursday, 9 October 1572, “Marie”
Source: Archives municipales of Amiens. AA 14, Fol.173 verso, Durand inventory to Series AA, p. 434. 1564
A Suspicious Incident in the Countryside, 1564
Source: AN G8*1220 111K
An inquiry conducted in the villages of Flers and Taigny by me Jean de Gourlant Royal Sergeant in the Bailliage of Amiens following a report of robberies, pillaging, and sacrilegious acts committed by night in the churches of Flers and Taigny, 1564.
(Various local inhabitants are interviewed as witnesses)
Interviewed on November 3, 1564 Jehenne WARNIER, widow of Jehan FRION, living in the village of FLERS, 48 years of age or thereabouts, upon oath taken swore and deposed that on Tuesday, October 30 [1564] about two hours before daybreak, spinning thread on her spinning wheel in her house near the church, she heard the church bells ring out loudly and going there saw a huge fire, the flames of which mounted almost to the vault of the nave, the fire proceeding from the combustion of books, linens, hats, vestments, napkins, banners and other furnishings of the said church; even the pews and special section constructed of oak wood, where the bailiff and his wife and family attended services, all was so engulfed and burning hot that it was impossible to salvage anything but everything was consumed bit by bit. Although, there was found among the debris of the fire several fragments of the cibolle, the vessel in which the body of our lord Jesus Christ reposed. Also the tin [melted ?] from the vessel in which the holy chrism and the burettes [cruets] of the said church were stored.
The witness did not know who could have done this although the figures in stone that were in the said church, save for those of the crucifix, Virgin Mary and Saint John which were high up in the church, were knocked to the ground and smashed. Even the tabernacle made of copper had been carried away and the church entirely despoiled of all the furnishings in it, including candles and all of the above named items. And even to the paix and the true cross everything seemed to have been either incinerated or carried away. Though the paix and pieces of the true cross were later found among the remains of the fire.
The said witness does not know who is suspected of having committed these sacrilegious and violent acts. However she does recall that about three weeks or a month prior, on a Holy Day Sunday, not sure exactly which one, there came to the house of her brother Jehan WARNIER, a tailor and farmer living in Taigny, a man named Jehan VASSEUR, a weaver living in Amiens, a relative of the first wife of the said Warnier, who had come there on some business along with a second person, a man named “Baptiste” also a weaver by trade also residing in Amiens. The witness does not know what street.
This Baptiste being in the house of the said Warnier repeatedly argued religion with him saying that for the sake of religion he (Baptiste) had been imprisoned in Valenciennes, Tournai, and other cities. and even condemned to be burned at the stake but that he was still alive and kicking. And inasmuch as the said Warnier continued to argue and was becoming angry, frequently saying “by God in whom I believe” Baptiste said to Warnier that it was his “pastry god” (dieu de patte)that he must be referring to and besides this he said to Warnier in a menacing way that he (Warnier) worshipped little figurines (“marmosets”) and knelt down to them in their “Babylon” and that before two weeks were out the marmosets in the said Babylon would be knocked off their pedestals, speaking of the statues of the saints, in the church of the said village. The witness does not know however if the said Baptiste could have been responsible for the said looting and violence.
1566
Jehan Sagnier, Sergeant à Masse (Mace Sergeant) BB 38, Fol.13,
26 September 1566
“At the meeting of the town council on September 23, 1566, Master Jean de Court, Judge and Keeper of the Seal (garde) for our sire the King in the provostship of Amiens and a member of the town council, remonstrated that yesterday, the day dedicated to St. Firmin the Martyr, at the procession at the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Amiens, at the celebration of the High Mass that is traditionally accompanied by the presentation of a ceremonial candle that the King ordered to be presented every year by his Provost, at the offertory of the said Mass, for the honor of God and the said Saint Firmin the Martyr, patron of this diocese who graciously planted the faith of our Saviour Jesus Christ in this country, through the great and marvelous miracles which he performed in times past in this territory and notably in this city, he (i.e. Master de Court) was only attended by five mace-carrying sergeants of the said provostship instead of the full complement of eight!”
One of the absent sergeants, Noel du Crocq, is excused because his mace was at the silversmith being refurbished by order of the city governors. What is the reason for the absence of the two others? The tipstaff is sent to summon them before the town council. It emerges that Robert Cochon has conveniently been out of town for the past couple of days. Jehan Sagnier, on the other hand appears immediately in response to the summons. Sagnier is asked where he was yesterday to which he responds that he went to the “presche,” the term for the Protestant worship service! Not finding this explanation satisfactory the Catholic councilors persist:
“Asked why he did not attend his honor the provost at the presentation of the said ceremonial candle along with the other mace sergeants as he had always seen being done in years past, he responded that he was ‘servant of my lords in all that it pleased them to command him in point of view of his office relating to the justice and police of the city, but that he should not be constrained and forced to do something contrary to his conscience, which for him would be taking part in such a presentation of a candle, confessing that he knew very well that the said presentation was to be made that day by the said provost.”
The argument continues to be pressed by the councilors and Sagnier restates his position. The councilors say that if the performance of this customary duty is against his conscience he should necessarily give up his office. Since small municipal offices like this were held as personal property and could be bought and sold, Sagnier agrees to give up his sergeantship on the condition of being reimbursed for the purchase price. The city council still decides to commit Jehan Sagnier to prison, for which he requires an official statement (i.e. which could serve as the basis of a future legal appeal).
The next day, on the advice of the city attorney, who worries about the possible illegality of unilaterally depriving Sagnier of his office and his property in it, the council decides he should stay in prison until payment of a fine and then admonishes him to do his duty “in the future” under penalty of suspension from office.
The handling of the case remains highly irregular. Still being targeted as of 3 October 1566, Sagnier is fined for failing to keep his mace sufficiently silvered. When he asks to have the fine dropped and the silver tiles he has been compelled to place on the table in the council chamber returned to him, his request is refused.
1568
Crespin’s Account of the Easter holiday Massacre of 1568 in Amiens
Crespin Vol. 3 p. 650
“In the city of Amiens, immediately following the conclusion of the peace, there was a massacre of 120 or 140 persons of the Faith, of all sexes, ages and conditions, and to make folks believe that they wished to punish such a foul and wicked deed, the Maréchal de Cosses was dispatched to the scene and had those responsible for the massacre imprisoned; but they were soon released by the influence of the Cardinal of Lorraine, who in plain Royal Council, argued that these poor prisoners should be pitied since they had been prompted to do what they did by zeal for the Roman Catholic Faith, and that he would be the first to ask for their pardons. In this fashion the murderers escaped; but to give the color and appearance of justice, they administered whippings to three or four random scamps, whom they gave out that they were among the responsible actors ; they then went on to execute in effigy those who should have been executed in person, and who were actually present at the execution inflicted upon their effigies.”
1576
Assembly June 27, 1576, BB42,
Fol. 124 verso
The following presented themselves before the Special Assembly : Jehan Talle, woolcomber (peigneur de layne) native of the village of Belloy, living in the Verde rue of this city, Pierre de Marsis, weaver living in the rue des Bricques, Pierre Germer, weaver, living in the Petit Marché, and Loïs Harembourg, also a weaver living in the rue des Minimes, natives of the city, who explained that they represented and were authorized to do so by a large number of the inhabitants of the city belonging to the [so-called](Note) reformed religion. Through their spokesperson Jehan Talle, they requested that we, as persons charged with the government of the city, permit them to enjoy the benefits of the most recent edict of pacification, and, in accordance with that, to allow them to hold public and general services in this city and to engage in all other exercises of the [so-called] reformed religion, explaining that they already had a minister at hand in the person of Pierre Despoir, native of Toulouse, and that Jehan Lheritier, the vinegarmaker, and Jehan de Bethencourt, the woolcomber, were willing to make their houses available to host the prayer services (presches) and other religious exercises.
To this the assembled councilors responded that they have always desired and desire still to obey the king’s will, and inasmuch as his Majesty, by the edict of pacification, entrusts them with the protection of all of his subjects, catholics as well as protestants, it is reasonable that they as magistrates who are all of the catholic religion, should take cognizance of those who are of the so called reformed religion; so as to take them under their protection. For this reason, they say, “we order you to provide a written list of the names, surnames, conditions, birthplaces and addresses of those of the [so-called] reformed religion who desire to enjoy the benefits of the said edict, and nevertheless we prohibit you from doing anything to the prejudice of the edict;” his honors also made the point that that the majority of those who had belonged in the past to the so-called reformed religion, especially those in places of authority and the richest and most well-off in the city, starting four years ago had begun returning to the Catholic Church, and have continued and continue every day to do so, and they in no way are soliciting reestablishment of the said religious services ; on the contrary they desire to live and die in the catholic religion, and to live in peace and unity, as they have since the presches have ceased in this territory; and it is apparent that those who seek the establishment of the presches in this city are folks who have nothing to lose and who do not desire peace, or else that they are egged on by strangers from the Low Countries of the said [so-called] reformed religion or others, to hold such services and assemblies in order, if they can, to surprise this city, which is on the frontier and one of the principle keys to the realm; and supposing such services would be allowed, messieurs would not intend to permit foreigners/strangers to enter.
To which the said Talle replied that by the said edict, the presches should be public and general, open to all those who wish to attend, and that they could not try and distinguish between foreigners and inhabitants and out of towners; as for the list it would be long and tedious to provide the names, surnames, conditions, birthplaces and addresses of those of the said religion living in this city, on account of the great number of them, a number which could grow and mount up each day, as they hope, and at the end of the day they are demanding nothing but the execution of the said edict -- nothing more – and are requiring written record of all of this.
To which our magistrates replied that they would provide a written transcript (acte) of the proceedings when the representatives provide proof that they are the legal representatives of/have power of attorney for those whom they claim to represent, and for whom they claim to speak.
The Protestant representatives] said they would furnish proper d
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