Fief Bouvees of the Fief Thomas Blondel - 1968

From the Livre De Perchage of 1968 - St. Pierre du Bois & Torteval

Parcel of the ancient Fief au Cannely

Special Note: The Bouvees of Blondel are in St Pierre du Bois and Torteval Parishes within the ancient 2 large fiefs of the island’s Vicomtes or Counts of Bessin and Contenin.

SEE DIGITAL FIEF MAP

The Fief de Thomas Blondel produced “ Livres de perchage ” in 1595, 1644, 1680, 1709, 1775, 1809, 1844, 1876, 1901, 1921 and 1968. The contents of the “ Livres de perchage ” reveal something of the history of the properties of the Territory and Fief boundaries.

Several field names reflect its agricultural, social and religious history. Pre de la Hanniere recalls the growing of hemp (han ) in that meadow.  Le Clos des Pommiers refers to family and not to an orchard. L’ Aumone (the alms), was once dedicated to charity.

Other medieval wayside crosses are Croix Ivelin and Croix Dom Nicolle . Courtil de la Rocque Colin may have a still more ancient religious aspect, referring to a prehistoric standing stone. Les Buttes (the butts), was a place in the parish for archery practice

The 7  Fief Bouvées or Bouvees of Fief Thomas Blondel are:

A “bouvée” (or “bouvet” ),  was indeed a smaller fief within a larger fief during the medieval period. These smaller fiefs were often granted to vassals by a lord in exchange for military service or other obligations. The term is less commonly used today, but it played a significant role in the feudal system, helping to structure the complex hierarchy of land ownership and duties.

* Twenty Vergees makes a Bouvee and 4 Vergees are a Guernsey Acre. 21 Feet Square is a Perch, and 40 Perches is a Vergee. 2 1/2 vergees are about 1 English Statute Acre.  Fief Duquemin is a Bouvee that is part of the Blondel territory adn Livre de Percharge of 1968.

1.       Bouvee es Paints

2.       Bouvees Torquetil et Bourgeron

3.       Bouvee dite de Thomas Guilbert

4.       Bouvee de la Bufardiere

5.       Demie-bouvee a Louvestre

6.       Bouvee dite de Surcousse

7.        (Fief Duquemin)   Bouvée dite de Duquemin or Fief Du Quemin   - T Robilliard (Pleinmont) was lord of the Fief Bouvée Duquemin in Torteval in the late 1800s. Bouvée Duquemin was also part of Fief Thomas Blondel territory. See: Fiefs and their Seigneurs. From Guerin's Almanack, 1890, in the Library's News Cuttings on Guernsey IV, p. 79, Staff. https://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/articles/article/lords-manors

8. There is also a Fief la Cour Ricard is mentioned in various documents which may also have been part of Fief Thomas Blondel or other territory in St. Pierre du Bois Parish in the late 1700s.  Birdwatchers’ book proceeds help to create nature reserve on La Cour Ricard Guernsey | Guernsey Press 

** The fiefs of Thomas Blondel, Guillot Justice, Bouvee Duquemin adn Cour Ricard total about 238/9 vergees in Torteval and St. Peter in the Wood.  They are parts of the ancient Fief au Canelly.  In 1890 the Seigneur of Fief Blondel was Pierre Robilliard (Pleinmont).  His Brother T Robilliard (Pleinmont)  held the Torteval Fiefs Duquemin, Fief Guillot Justice and Fief Cour Riqua or Ricard.  In the Livre de Percharge of Fief Thomas Blondel year 1968, Bouvee Duquemin is included as part of Thomas Blondel again, and we are to assume that Guillot Justice and Cour Ricard/Riqua were also transferred back to the Seigneur of Thomas Blondel.

Below Seigneurs. From Guerin's Almanack, 1890, in the Library's News Cuttings on Guernsey IV, p. 79, Staff.

     P Robilliard (Pleinmont)   Seigneur Thomas Blondel  Torteval
T Robilliard (Pleinmont)   Seigneur Bouvée Duquemin Torteval
T Robilliard (Pleinmont)   Seigneur Guillot Justice  Torteval
T Robilliard (Pleinmont)   Seigneur  Courriqua or Cour Ricard Torteval

By 1898, Pierre Robilliard dies in possession of Fief Thomas Blondel and other  Fiefs such as llot Justice, Du Quemin and La Cour Ricard.

Citation about the Fiefs

Fief Bouvee Duquemin reference:  Guernesey | Les iles Anglo-Normande | Le Petit Manchot | histoire patrimoine personnage (le-petit-manchot.fr) 

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The Last Douzaine of Fief Blondel was:

1.       Laurence Guille

2.       George_william Le Ray

3.       Daniel-Nicholas Girard

4.       Walter-Peter Girard

5.       John Mahy

6.       John-Alfred Tostevin

7.       Pierre-Tostevin

8.       Reginald-Franklyn De Garis

9.       Walter-Frederic Gallienne

10.   Sydney-John Brehaut

The Legal Status of the Holder of a Bouvée as a Seigneur or Lord

In the medieval feudal system, a "bouvée" (or "bouvet" or "bovate") was a smaller fief granted within a larger fief. The recipient of this grant, though a vassal to the lord of the larger fief, was also legally recognized as a seigneur or lord of the "bouvée" itself. This dual role was central to the hierarchical structure of the feudal system, where land tenure and the associated rights and obligations created a complex web of authority and loyalty.

1. Granting of the Bouvée and Seigneurial Status

• When a lord of a larger fief (often referred to as the "seigneur" of the primary fief) granted a "bouvée" to a vassal, the vassal was not merely a tenant but was elevated to the status of a seigneur or lord in their own right over the "bouvée."
• This legal status was conferred through the feudal grant or charter, which formalized the vassal's rights and obligations. The vassal's new role as the seigneur of the "bouvée" meant they had dominion over the land and could exercise certain lordly powers within that smaller fief.

2. Rights and Responsibilities as a Seigneur

• Jurisdiction and Authority: As the seigneur of the "bouvée," the holder had legal jurisdiction over the land and its inhabitants. This included the right to hold a manorial court where disputes among the tenants or inhabitants of the "bouvée" could be resolved. The seigneur's authority was legally recognized, though it was subordinate to the lord of the larger fief.
• Economic Rights: The seigneur of the "bouvée" had the right to collect rents, dues, and other forms of payment from those living on or using the land. These economic rights were an essential aspect of the seigneur’s status, allowing them to benefit materially from the land they controlled.
• Military Obligations: While the seigneur of the "bouvée" owed military service to the lord of the larger fief, they could also require military service from their own vassals or tenants within the "bouvée." This ability to mobilize forces reinforced their status as a lord within the feudal hierarchy.

3. Sub-infeudation and Feudal Hierarchy

• The holder of a "bouvée" could engage in sub-infeudation, further subdividing their land and granting portions of it to other vassals. These vassals would then owe loyalty and service to the seigneur of the "bouvée," creating additional layers within the feudal hierarchy.
• As a result, the seigneur of the "bouvée" occupied a middle position within the feudal structure, simultaneously serving as a vassal to the larger fief's lord while exercising lordly authority over their own smaller domain.

4. Legal Recognition and Seigneurial Powers

• The seigneurial powers of the holder of a "bouvée" were legally recognized and enforceable under feudal law. This included the power to enforce contracts, levy fines, and administer justice within the "bouvée." The seigneur's authority was codified in the feudal contracts and charters that defined their relationship with the lord of the larger fief and their own vassals or tenants.
• The seigneur of the "bouvée" also had the right to pass on the "bouvée" to their heirs, provided they continued to meet the obligations owed to the larger fief’s lord. This hereditary aspect of the "bouvée" reinforced the seigneur's status as a landowner and lord.

5. The Seigneur of the Bouvée in the Feudal System

• Within the broader context of the feudal system, the seigneur of a "bouvée" was an important figure, maintaining order and productivity within their smaller fief. They were a crucial link in the chain of feudal relationships, ensuring that the obligations owed to the lord of the larger fief were met while also managing their own domain.
• The legal concept of the seigneur of the "bouvée" illustrates the decentralized nature of feudal authority, where even smaller parcels of land were governed by lords who held significant local power and autonomy within the larger feudal framework.

6. Legacy and Historical Significance

• The concept of the seigneur of a "bouvée" reflects the intricate layers of medieval land tenure and the decentralized governance that characterized the feudal system. Even though "bouvée" grants and the specific legal roles associated with them have largely faded, their influence on the development of land law and the concept of lordship remains significant.

In conclusion, the holder of a "bouvée" grant was not just a subordinate vassal but also a seigneur or lord of that smaller fief. This legal status allowed them to exercise lordly powers within their domain, managing the land, administering justice, and fulfilling the feudal obligations that sustained the hierarchical structure of medieval society.