The Lost Code

They administered regions of the colony

Supper with a Canadian Seigneur

Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec library
“Un souper chez un seigneur canadien [Supper with a Canadian Seigneur] in Aubert de Gaspé, Philippe, Les anciens Canadiens. Montréal: Beauchemin, 1925. (Bibliothèque canadienne. Jacques Cartier collection, No. 802 B). p.[64]. Loc. 648.5 (temp.)

Seigneurs were most commonly members of the bourgeoisie, or upper middle class. They administered regions of the colony on behalf of the king. In exchange, the government granted them certain benefits. They had to make sure their seigneurie prospered and were obliged to set aside oak wood and minerals for the crown. Seigneurs were subject to the authority of the king, the governor, and the intendant. Although their power over the censitaires in their seigneurie was great, it was not absolute. The terms of their power were set out in notarized contracts.