1765 Legal Manuscript Describing Seigneurial Landholding in Northeast France

On offer is a lovely, handwritten legal document referencing a seigneurial holding in the northeast of France. In the mid-18th century. The document is entitled Queritur, Latin for Article. It opens with the identification of the landholding, as demonstrated in the following excerpt:

Il y a une seigneurie et cour feodale appelee Westhove [ ] en la paroisse de Neuve Eglise [ ] de Bailleul

[Translation: There is a seigneury and feudal court called Westhove [ ] in the parish of Neuve Eglise [ ] de Bailleul]. 

The document goes on to outline certain rights of this seigneur:

… aiant haute [ ] et basse justice et le seigneur a droit d' etablir un bailly

[Translation: …having a high [ ] and low justice and the Lord has the right to establish a Bailly]. 

The document goes on at length to discuss this. It ends with another person’s comments, noting it was delivered at Bailleul on July 1st, 1765 and signed de Baey. 

For a historian or researcher into the manner of landholdings in the pre-revolutionary France, this document can shed some light on the various types of actions landowners and minor nobility took with respect to their properties.

The document is a four-page document formed from a folded sheet of paper. It measures 11.7 inches by 7.25 inches. It is 75% complete. The paper is in good condition with a few small stains that do not interfere with the text. The handwriting is copperplate and is small and neat. It is reasonably legible.