The Lost Code

Social Classes

Colonial society was modeled after French society, but social classes were less rigid in New France. The hierarchy resembled a pyramid with the most important person—the king—at the top, represented by the governor. Next came the intendant and bishop.

Beneath these important figures was the nobility, which represented about 3% of the population. The nobility included administrators, military officers, senior clergy members, and prominent bourgeois, who were most commonly French. The bourgeoisie represented over one-fourth of the population. It included prosperous merchants and militia officers, who often had lifestyles similar to nobles.

On the other end of the social pecking order were the commoners, who represented some 70% of the population. This group included censitaires, lumberjacks, artisans, soldiers, enlisted men, servants, and slaves.