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88-787: The case contains similar themes to other witchcraft trials that occurred throughout western Europe in the 17th century, such as the Aix-en-Provence possessions (France) in 1611 or the Pendle witches (England) in 1612 before reaching the New World by the 1690s . In its continuing efforts to consolidate and centralize power, the Crown under Louis XIII ordered the walls around Loudun, a town in Poitou , France, to be demolished. The populace were of two minds concerning this. The Huguenots , for

176-467: A witch burning in 1611. The early 17th century was host to the peak of accusations in France's witchcraft hunt . Prior to the 17th century the testimony of a person perceived to be possessed was not considered reliable as anything they might say was likely from the "Father of Lies" (John 8:44). Madeleine de Demandolx de la Palud was a young French aristocrat, 17 years of age. Father Louis Gaufridi

264-478: A canon at the Church of Sainte-Croix . Grandier was considered to be a good-looking man, wealthy, and well-educated. An eloquent and popular preacher, he incurred the envy of some of the local monks. As he did not support Cardinal Richelieu 's policies, he was in favor of retaining the town's wall. It was widely believed that Grandier had fathered a son by Philippa Trincant, the daughter of his friend, Louis Trincant,

352-399: A case which garnered a great deal of attention in its day. This comparison is based in part on the circumstances surrounding the incidents as well as the examinations of the possessions in question, all of which indicate pretended possessions, in contrast to cases considered more legitimate such as the possession of Mademoiselle Elizabeth de Ranfaing (1621). In his treatise, Calmet states that

440-517: A century later. In 2008, ten Frankish sarcophagi from that period were discovered where Saint-Morille church once stood during the tramway construction. From the 850s, Angers suffered from its situation on the border with Brittany and Normandy . In September 851, Charles the Bald and Erispoe , a Breton chief, met in the town to sign the Treaty of Angers , which secured Breton independence and fixed

528-452: A fine of five hundred livres. Grandier, who had been held at the prison of Angers , was returned to Loudun. Laubardemont once again observed and interrogated the nuns, now dispersed among a number of convents. The Bishop of Poitiers, after having sent several Doctors of Theology to examine the victims, came to Loudun in person, and over the next two and half months, he performed exorcisms, as did Father Tranquille O.F.M.Cap. On June 23, 1634,

616-632: A high natural potential, notably highlighted by the Saint-Aubin island, situated north of the center and covering a tenth of the city total surface. Protected, the island is formed of swamps and natural meadows. The oldest green areas date back from the Renaissance , when the moats of the castle were transformed into pleasure and kitchen gardens. Similar gardens were built by the aristocracy around their hôtels particuliers and physic garden were planted in hospices cloisters. The Jardin des plantes,

704-513: A marina. In 2010, a large amusement park, Terra Botanica , was inaugurated close to Saint-Aubin island. The first sign of human presence in Angers dates back to around 400,000 BC. Vestiges from the Neolithic are more abundant and include numerous polished stone axes. Burials from 4500  x  3500 BC were also discovered on the castle grounds. During the 5th century BC,

792-649: A name by which it also appears in the Tabula Peutingeriana . The name is a compound of the Latin name Julius (probably in reference to Julius Caesar ) and the Celtic magos , "market". Similar town dedications were common in Roman Gaul , and toponyms often kept a Gallic element. When the location needed to be distinguished from other Juliomagi, it was known as Juliomagus Andecavorum ("Juliomagus of

880-574: A prominent spot in the said church of the Ursulines, to remain there for all eternity. And before proceeding to the execution of the present sentence, we order the said Grandier to be submitted to the first and last degrees of torture, concerning his accomplices. Among other tortures, Grandier was subjected to "the boot" . Grandier was taken to the Court of Justice of Loudun. His sentence having been read to him, he earnestly begged M. de Laubardemont and

968-519: A relative of Philippa, was quite vocal in expressing his opinion of Grandier's conduct with women. When Grandier demanded an explanation, Thibault beat him with a cane outside the Church of Sainte-Croix. In the course of the resulting trial, Thibault raised certain charges in his defense, causing the magistrates to turn Grandier over to the ecclesiastical court. The Bishop then prohibited Grandier from performing any public functions as priest for five years in

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1056-437: A rope around his neck, Gaufridi officially asked pardon of God and was handed over to torturers. Still living after the torture of strappado and squassation, Gaufridi was escorted by archers while dragged through the streets of Aix for five hours before arriving at the place of execution. The priest was granted the mercy of strangulation before his body was burned to ashes. Immediately following Gaufridi's execution Demandolx

1144-460: A scaffold, which shall be erected on the said place for this purpose, and there to be burned alive...and his ashes scattered to the wind. We have ordered and so do order that each and every article of his moveable property be acquired and confiscated by the King; the sum of 500 livres first being taken for buying a bronze plaque on which will be engraved the abstract of this present trial, to be set up in

1232-403: A vision of her recently deceased confessor, Father Moussant. Soon other nuns reported similar visions. Canon Jean Mignon, the convent chaplain who was also a nephew of Trincant, decided that a series of exorcisms was in order. In the town, the people were saying it was an "imposture." The nuns claimed the demon Asmodai was sent to commit evil and impudent acts with them. During questioning about

1320-473: Is also 118 km (73 mi) far from Pornic , the closest sea resort, situated on the Atlantic Ocean . Elevation varies 12 to 64 meters (39 to 210 ft) above sea level . Angers is a hilly town, particularly marked by a rocky promontory dominating the lower valley of Anjou . This was the site of the ancient city and still houses the town's castle , cathedral , and medieval quarters. At

1408-496: Is made up of 29 communes covering 667 square kilometers (258 square miles) with 299,500 inhabitants (2018). Not including the broader metropolitan area, Angers is the third most populous commune in northwestern France after Nantes and Rennes and the 18th most populous commune in France. For centuries, Angers was an important stronghold in northwestern France. It was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and became one of

1496-548: Is no magician at all, and therefore could not be arrested." She subsequently recovered and stated that the Capuchins had failed to make the devil swear to tell the truth. Gaufridi's appeal to Parliament was headed off by Michaëlis, who filed his appeal first. Capeau claimed to be possessed by a devil named "Verrine". When caught in inconsistent statements, Capeau responded "The Devil is the Father of Lies". The interrogation of

1584-713: Is still dominated by the massive château of the Plantagenêts , home of the Apocalypse Tapestry , the biggest medieval tapestry ensemble in the world. Angers is also both at the edge of the Val de Loire , a World Heritage Site , and the Loire-Anjou-Touraine regional natural park . The city is first mentioned by Ptolemy around AD 150 in his Geography . It was then known as Juliomagus ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : Ἰουλιόμαγος , Iouliómagos ),

1672-555: Is successively mentioned as Andecava civitas (6th century), Andecavis (AD 769), Andegavis (861  -  882), Angieus (in 1127) and Angeus (in 1205). The form Angiers appeared during the 12th century and was later corrupted to "Angers". The Latin Andecavum also gave Anjou its name. This double formation is quite common in France and is also seen in Poitiers and Poitou , and Bourges and Berry . Angers

1760-582: Is the prefecture of the Maine-et-Loire department and was the capital of the province of Anjou until the French Revolution . The inhabitants of both the city and the province are called Angevins or, more rarely, Angeriens . Angers proper covers 42.70 square kilometers (16.5 sq mi) and has a population of 154,508 inhabitants, while around 432,900 live in its metropolitan area ( aire d'attraction ). The Angers Loire Métropole

1848-495: The 1939–1945 War Cross and since then, the decoration is sometimes placed between the two fleurs de lys. Angers also had several mottos through its history: Angers is located at the geographical center of the Maine-et-Loire department, on the road ( A11 autoroute , L'Océane ) which connects Paris to the Atlantic Ocean . The city is situated just south of the confluence of the Loir , Mayenne and Sarthe , which form together

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1936-625: The Andecavi "), in reference to the principal Gallic tribe in and around the city. Around AD 400, the city came to be referred to as the civitas Andecavorum (" tribal capital of the Andecavi"). This was a common change in Gaul, also seen in the names of Paris , Tours and Évreux around this time. During the Middle Ages, the late Latin name gradually developed into the modern one. It

2024-602: The Andecavi , a Celtic people, settled north of the Loire . By the end of the Iron Age , Angers was a relatively densely populated hillfort . While the settlement's Roman name—Juliomagus—may be older, it is only attested from the 3rd century. The Roman town consisted of many villas and baths and had an amphitheater as well as a Mithraeum , a temple dedicated to Mithra . Successive Germanic invasions in AD ;275 and 276 forced

2112-618: The Angers castle stands. The urban structure there dates back from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. A military presence there was attested from the 3rd century and some remains of an antique city wall are still visible on the castle grounds. This wall was built to protect the city from the Germanic invasions of AD 275 and 276. During the Middle Ages, the castle was the core of the city's defence system, composed of tall city walls and river chains which prevented enemy ships from going up

2200-769: The Black Death (1347–1350) and the Hundred Years War (1337–1453). A man of great culture and generosity, René transformed Angers into a cultural and political center and held court there. He transformed the castle moat into a menagerie and built several gardens. He also founded in Angers a new Ordre du Croissant which was supposed to compete with the Order of the Golden Fleece , created several years earlier. In 1474, Louis XI of France , in his attempt to conquer Anjou, came to Angers with his army, asking for

2288-467: The Communauté urbaine Angers Loire Métropole . All these peripheral communes are situated within 17 km (11 mi) from Angers proper. Together, they have around 272,400 inhabitants. Angers has an oceanic climate , with moderate rain year-round. Winters have scarce frosts and snowfalls, and summers are warm and sunny. The oldest streets and buildings in Angers are located on the promontory where

2376-567: The Diocese of Poitiers , and forever in Loudun. Grandier appealed to the court at Poitiers. As a number of witnesses retracted their statements, the case was dismissed without prejudice should new evidence be presented. The Ursuline convent had been opened in Loudun in 1626. In 1632 prioress Jeanne des Anges presided over seventeen nuns, whose average age was twenty-five. The first reports of alleged demonic possession began about five months after

2464-642: The Mayenne . It was the aldermen who stopped the slaughter. In 1598, the Edict of Nantes was prepared by Henri IV in Angers. From 6 March until 2 April, Angers was the de facto capital of France and the King tried all means to satisfy the Catholics of the city, for example by laying the cornerstone of the new Capucine convent. In 1619, Louis XIII of France gave the governance of Anjou to his mother, Marie de' Medici . The Queen Mother settled in Angers, at

2552-468: The Second World War , several large council estates made of tower blocks were built around the city center, the first of them being Belle-Beille in 1953. Industrial activity changed drastically: port activity declined while new factories, such as Technicolor SA in 1957, were built. During the 1970s, the collective approach to urban development gave way to more individual houses being built for

2640-444: The middle class . As the metropolitan area continued to grow, commuting became more common. New shopping areas were constructed close to the villages which had been subsumed into the city. Because of the floodplains that surround the city north and south, Angers can only grow significantly on an east–west axis. Being both at the edge of the Val de Loire World Heritage site and on the largest river confluence in France, Angers has

2728-502: The plant sector: Végépolys is Europe's leading horticultural competitiveness cluster, and the city is also home to the headquarters of the Community Plant Variety Office. In addition, the Angers metropolitan area is a major economic centre in western France, particularly active in industry and tourism. Angers enjoys a rich cultural life, made possible by its universities and museums. The old medieval center

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2816-621: The province of Anjou . During the 12th century, after internal divisions in Brittany , the county of Nantes was annexed by Anjou . Henry II Plantagenêt kept it for more than 30 years. The grandson of Henry I of England , he also succeeded to the English crown and ruled the vast Angevin Empire , which stretched from the Pyrenees to Ireland . The castle of Angers was then the seat of

2904-470: The Bishop of Poitiers and M. de Laubardemont being present, Grandier was brought from his prison to the Church of St. Croix in his parish, to be present at the exorcisms. All the possessed were there likewise. As the accused and his partisans declared that the possessions were mere impostures, he was ordered to be himself the exorcist, and the stole was presented to him. He could not refuse, and therefore, taking

2992-542: The Castle of Loudun. The demolition, to be overseen by Jean de Laubardemont, was part of Richelieu's program of eliminating Huguenot strongholds by destroying local fortifications. Both Protestant (Huguenot) and Catholic residents of Loudun were against the removal of their battlements, which would have left them unprotected against mercenary armies. Grandier cited the King's promise that Loudun's walls would not be destroyed, successfully preventing Laubardemont from demolishing

3080-604: The Court and the dynasty. The Empire disappeared in 1204–1205 when the King of France, Philip II , seized Normandy and Anjou. Henceforth, there were no more counts of Anjou , as the French king had made Anjou a dukedom. Now a part of the Kingdom of France , Angers became the "Key to the Kingdom" ( Clé du Royaume ) facing still independent Brittany . In 1228, during Louis IX 's minority, Blanche of Castile decided to fortify

3168-469: The Devil's mark and was sentenced to imprisonment. At an advanced age, she was released to the custody of a relative and died in 1670 at the age of 80. The hysteria begun at Aix did not end with Gaufridi's sentence and the banishment of the nuns. In 1613, two years later, the possession hysteria spread to Lille where three nuns reported that Sister Marie de Sains had bewitched them. Sister Marie's testimony

3256-424: The English philosopher John Locke concluded: "The story of the nuns of Lodun [sic] possessed, was nothing but a contrivance of Cardinal Richelieu to destroy Grandier, a man he suspected to have wrote a book against him, who was condemned for witchcraft in the case, and burnt for it. The scene was managed by the Capuchins, and the nuns played their tricks well, but all was a cheat." Agénor de Gasparin suggests that

3344-466: The King's prosecutor in Loudun. According to Monsieur des Niau, Counsellor at la Flèche, Grandier had aroused the hostility of a number of husbands and fathers, some quite influential, by the dishonor he had brought to their families through relations with the female members of their households. (However, Niau's views may be understood as those of a participant in the subsequent proceedings who fully endorsed them.) Around 1629, Jacques de Thibault, possibly

3432-611: The Logis Barrault, with her chaplain, Cardinal Richelieu . At the premature death of Louis XIII in 1643, his son Louis XIV was only an infant. France was troubled at this time by several famines and epidemics, and by political instability. In 1649, the people of Angers revolted against rising taxes, the start of the Fronde in Anjou . The Fronde was a nationwide military conflict opposing some aristocrats wanting more autonomy and

3520-409: The Loudun possessions, author Moshe Sluhovsky reports that these displays continued until 1637, three years after Grandier's death: "[t]he last departing demons left clear signs of their exit from her [Jeanne des Anges, the mother superior of the community] body, when the names Joseph and Mary miraculously appeared inscribed on des Anges's left arm." Having achieved his original goal, Richelieu terminated

3608-643: The Maine. The walls were last reconstructed between 1230 and 1240, by order of King Louis IX . Today, portions of the wall are still visible in Rue Toussaint and on Boulevard Carnot, as are some towers, like the Tour Villebon and the Tour des Anglais . Before the first cadastre (1810), the city had not extended much beyond its medieval limits: on and around the castle promontory, with some dwellings on

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3696-515: The Parlement, in which it was asserted that the possessions were an imposture, were intercepted. The latter's reply was also seized. Monsieur de Laubardemont returned to Loudun with a Decree of the Council, dated 31 May 1634, confirming all his powers and prohibiting Parlement and all other judges from interfering in the matter, and forbidding all parties concerned from appealing, under penalty of

3784-614: The Royal forces loyal to Anne of Austria as Queen Mother and Regent, and her prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin . Royalist repression in Angers was narrowly averted by Bishop Henri Arnauld , who interceded with the Queen Mother. Arnauld, who would remain Bishop of Angers until 1692, was to leave a deep mark on the religious life of the city during the second half of the 17th century. In 1652, Henri Chabot , Duke of Rohan and governor of Anjou , decided to back Louis of Condé , leader of

3872-526: The Ursuline nuns; he was condemned to be burned at the stake. We have ordered and do order the said Urbain Grandier duly tried and convicted of the crime of magic, maleficia, and of causing demoniacal possession of several Ursuline nuns of this town of Loudun, as well as of other secular women, together with other charges and crimes resulting therefrom. For atonement of which, we have condemned and do condemn

3960-541: The borders of Brittany . However, the situation remained dangerous for Angers, and Charles the Bald created in 853 a wide buffer zone around Brittany comprising parts of Anjou , Touraine , Maine and Sées , which was ruled by Robert the Strong , a great-grandfather of Hugh Capet . In 870, the Viking chief Hastein seized Angers where he settled until a successful siege temporarily displaced him. He again took control of

4048-407: The burning, an act of mercy. From the scaffold Grandier attempted to address the crowd, but the monks threw large quantities of holy water in his face so that his last words could not be heard. Then, according to historian Robert Rapley, exorcist Lactance caused the execution to deviate from the planned course of action—enraged by taunting from the crowd that gathered for the execution, Lactance lit

4136-561: The causes of the injustice committed at Loudun were a mixture of political ambition, the need for attention, and a basic desire to dispose of political opponents. Calmet places the blame for the tragedy in Loudun with Cardinal Richelieu , chief minister of Louis XIII, and his goal of ruining Urbain Grandier, the Cure of Loudun. Grandier's fate was likely sealed through obstructing the Cardinal's plan to demolish Loudun's fortifications, including

4224-607: The central Parisian authority. Aldous Huxley , in his non-fiction book, The Devils of Loudun , argued that the accusations began after Grandier refused to become the spiritual director of the convent, unaware that the Mother Superior, Sister Jeanne of the Angels, had become obsessed with him, having seen him from afar and heard of his sexual exploits. According to Huxley, Sister Jeanne, enraged by his rejection, instead invited Canon Jean Mignon, an enemy of Grandier, to become

4312-527: The city and to rebuild the castle. Later, during the 1350s and 1360s, the schools of Law, Medicine and Theology, renowned in Europe , were organized into a university. In 1373, Louis I of Naples and Anjou ordered the six tapestries illustrating the Apocalypse of St John known today as the Apocalypse Tapestry . King René of Anjou contributed to the economic revival in a city that had been diminished by

4400-402: The confession extracted from him by torture. In the eyes of the court, the protest was useless: the signed confession and alleged pact were evidence weighty enough to sentence the priest to death by fire . Even after the sentence was given, inquisitors continued to demand the names of Gaufridi's accomplices. April 30, 1611, was the day of Father Gaufridi's execution . With head and feet bare,

4488-530: The convent at all hours, although no one knew how he was able to get inside. The priest was further accused of all manner of indecency. Laubardemont then questioned Grandier as to the facts and articles of accusation, and after having made him sign his statement and denials, proceeded to Paris to inform the Court. Letters from the Bailly of Loudun, Grandier's chief supporter, to the Procurator-General of

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4576-409: The demolition of the town walls, and his reputation for illicit relations with parishioners did not improve his standing with the cardinal. In addition, Grandier had written a book attacking the discipline of clerical celibacy as well as a scathing satire of the cardinal. Around the time of the nuns' accusations, Jean de Laubardemont was sent to demolish the town tower. He was prevented from doing so by

4664-490: The director. Jeanne then accused Grandier of using black magic to seduce her. The other nuns gradually began to make similar accusations. However, Monsieur des Niau, Counsellor at la Flèche, said that Grandier applied for the position, but that it was instead awarded to Canon Jean Mignon, a nephew of Monsieur Trincant. Augustin Calmet , among others, has compared this case to the pretended possession of Martha Broissier (1578),

4752-476: The early so-called "demonic manifestations" were actually pranks played by some of the boarding students in an effort to frighten some of the nuns; and as the matters progressed, it was the chaplain Jean Mignon who introduced Grandier's name to the suggestible nuns. Michel de Certeau attributes the symptoms of the nuns as due to some psychological disorder such as hysteria, and views the events in context of

4840-494: The eastern bank of the Maine, where the former Juliomagus had been founded. The medieval city center was redeveloped and expanded from 1791. The Place du Ralliement , the main square, was then built in place of three churches destroyed during the French Revolution and, later, ring boulevards planted with trees replaced the city walls. The architectural style used is mainly Haussmanian , but there are also some Palladian , Art Nouveau or Art Deco buildings. After 1945 and

4928-693: The first botanical garden , dates back from the beginning of the 18th century. During the 19th century, others were built, for example the Faculty of Pharmacy garden and the Roseraie. The first recreational parks, for their part, were built during the Second French Empire . The étang Saint-Nicolas , made by a sluice on a small river, the Brionneau, was protected as early as 1936. The Jardin du Mail ( Mall Garden ), an esplanade situated outside

5016-547: The fortifications. Laubardemont promptly reported back to Richelieu with an account of the failed exorcisms, the libelous satire, and Grandier's obstruction of Richelieu's plans, thus setting the tragedy in Loudun and Grandier's demise in motion. Aix-en-Provence possessions The Aix-en-Provence possessions were a series of alleged cases of demonic possession occurring among the Ursuline nuns of Aix-en-Provence (South of France ) in 1611. Father Louis Gaufridi

5104-405: The funeral pyre before Grandier could be hanged, leaving him to be burned alive. The executioner then advanced, as is always done, to strangle him; but the flames suddenly sprang up with such violence that the rope caught fire, and Grandier fell alive among the burning wood. The possessions failed to stop after Father Grandier's execution; as a result, public exorcisms continued. In his summary of

5192-472: The inhabitants to move to the highest point of their city and to build a wall around a small area of around 9 hectares (22 acres). Angers received its first bishop in 372 during the election of Martin of Tours . The first abbey, Saint-Aubin, was built during the 7th century to house the sarcophagus of Saint Albinius . Saint-Serge Abbey was founded by the Merovingian kings Clovis II and Theuderic III

5280-572: The intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of René of Anjou . Angers developed at the confluence of three rivers, the Mayenne , the Sarthe , and the Loir , all coming from the north and flowing south to the Loire . Their confluence, just north of Angers, creates the Maine , a short but wide river that flows into the Loire several kilometres south. Today, Angers stands out for its specialization in

5368-451: The investigations into the events at Loudun. Some claim that it was actually Jeanne des Anges who had the public exorcisms stopped. Jeanne allegedly had a vision that she would be freed from the Devil if she made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Francis de Sales . She went to Annecy , then visited Cardinal Richelieu and King Louis XIII in 1638; the demons were apparently gone. In 1679,

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5456-424: The key evokes the stronghold position of the city close to the Breton border. An acrostic from the Middle Ages calls it Antique clef de France , which means "Ancient key to France": Under Napoleon I 's rule, Angers was one of the "Bonnes villes" and was therefore allowed to ask for a new coat of arms. The bees, symbol of the First French Empire , then replaced the royal fleurs de lys. In 1949, Angers received

5544-416: The keys of the city. René, then 65 years old, did not want to lead a war against his nephew and surrendered his domains without a fight. Thus, Anjou ceased to be an appanage and fell into the Royal domain. After his death, René was buried in 1480 in Saint-Maurice cathedral . In 1551, Angers became the seat of a bailiwick and the presidial court of a jurisdiction, a position the city kept until 1790. At

5632-408: The most part, wanted to keep the walls, while the Catholics supported the monarchy. In May 1632, an outbreak of the plague in Loudun claimed many lives. Together, the events contributed to an atmosphere of anxiety and apprehension in the divided town. Urbain Grandier was born at Rouvère towards the end of the sixteenth century. In 1617 he was appointed parish priest of St-Pierre-du-Marché in Loudun and

5720-632: The north and south, where the river Maine arrives in and leaves Angers, the landscape is formed by islands, ponds and floodplains which are a haven for birds and a typical flora of the Val de Loire . The étang Saint-Nicolas and Lac de Maine , both artificial, are among the biggest green areas of the city. The commune of Angers is bordered by ten other communes which form various suburbs. These are, clockwise, Avrillé , Cantenay-Épinard , Écouflant , Saint-Barthélemy-d'Anjou , Trélazé , Les Ponts-de-Cé , Sainte-Gemmes-sur-Loire , Bouchemaine and Beaucouzé . 22 other communes situated farther form with them

5808-413: The other Commissioners to mitigate the rigour of their sentence. M. de Laubardemont replied that the only means of inducing the judges to moderate the penalties was to declare at once his accomplices. The only answer he gave was that he had no accomplices. Father Grandier was promised that he could have the chance to speak before he was executed, making a last statement, and that he would be hanged before

5896-475: The other bank of the Maine in a neighbourhood called La Doutre . That part of the city developed quickly during the industrial revolution and became a big river port. Industry was encouraged by firms like Bessonneau (textile factories) and Cointreau (distillery). After 1850, many suburbs appeared around the train stations and the slate quarries to the south in Trélazé . Despite the port in La Doutre, demographic growth and urban extension were more significant on

5984-401: The outbreak of plague in 1632, as it was winding down. While physicians and wealthy property owners had left town, (the physicians because there was nothing they could do), others attempted to isolate themselves. The convents had shut themselves behind walls, the nuns discontinued receiving parlor visitors. Grandier visited the sick and gave money to the poor. A young nun said that she had had

6072-453: The parties attracted a number of spectators, and Capeau soon outdrew Michaëlis's preaching. According to Michelet, Michaëlis would have put an end to it had it been only Capeau. Because of her general lack of credibility, Gaufridi would not have been condemned on her testimony alone, but the younger Demandolx was afraid of Capeau and lest she also be accused, confirmed whatever the older woman said. In court, Father Gaufridi strongly recanted

6160-449: The priest at Aix confronted Gaufridi about the alleged affair, he denied it. Later in life, she was accused of witchcraft in 1642 and again in 1652. Her family abandoned her, she was fined and spent 10 years in prison after which she was released to Chateauvieux, France where she died in 1670. Demandolx and Louise Capeau were referred to Sébastien Michaëlis , prior of the Dominican community of Saint-Maxim and French inquisitor. Michaelis

6248-429: The priest. He suggests that Capeau was both jealous and "a trifle mad". Marseille supported Gaufridi, not wishing to see the Inquisition at Avignon spread to their environs. The Bishop and chapter attributed the whole affair to the antipathy the monks had towards secular priests. The Franciscans, rivals to the Dominicans, also supported Gaufridi. At one point, when a friar place a holy relic on her Capeau said, "Gaufridi

6336-536: The ring boulevards, was built between 1820 and 1880 on the former Champs de Mars (Fields of Mars, a place where the garrisons used to train and parade). Another esplanade, the Mail François Mitterrand , was built in 1999 together with a garden inside the new Saint-Serge business district. During the 1960s the old gravel pits around the Maine were filled with water to form the Lac de Maine, which now hosts

6424-422: The river Maine . The Maine crosses Angers and heads south towards the Loire . The confluence of the three rivers and the proximity of the Loire make up a natural crossroads which favoured the foundation of the antique Juliomagus . Angers is located 91 km (57 mi) from Nantes , 124 km (77 mi) from Rennes , 132 km (82 mi) from Poitiers and 297 km (185 mi) from Paris . It

6512-405: The said Grandier to make amende honorable , his head bare, a rope round his neck, holding in his hand a burning taper weighing two pounds, before the principal door of the church of St. Pierre-du-Marché, and before that of St. Ursula of this town. There on his knees, to ask pardon of God, the King, and the law; this done, he is to be taken to the public square of St. Croix, and fastened to a stake on

6600-663: The same time, with the growth of Protestantism in France, a Catholic was placed at the head of the city and its castle while the bourgeoisie formed a Catholic militia to protect Angers from the Huguenots . The bishop, Gabriel Bouvery , organized on his side an "Angevin League". When the news of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre reached Angers, another massacre took place in the city. The bodies of slain Protestants were thrown into

6688-455: The shifting intellectual climate of 17th century France. Possession allowed the nuns to express their ideas, concerns, and fears through the voice of another. The events at Loudun played out over a number of years, and attracted a good deal of attention throughout France. In this sense it was a sort of political-theatre. Grandier serves as a scapegoat to deflect the Louduns' ambivalence regarding

6776-474: The stole and the ritual, he received the pastoral benediction, and after the Veni Creator had been sung, commenced the exorcism in the usual form. In August 1634, the case was heard before the local magistrates. It was alleged that Grandier had made a pact with the devil, and had invited someone to a witches' sabbat. Grandier was found guilty of sorcery and placing evil spells to cause the possession of

6864-414: The supposed evil spirit thought to be possessing them, the nuns gave several answers as to who caused its presence: a priest, Peter, and Zabulon. It was after almost a week, on October 11, that Grandier was named as the magician responsible, though none of them had ever met him. Next, people who were asserted to be physicians and apothecaries were brought in. Canon Mignon informed the local magistrates of what

6952-533: The town in 873, before the Carolingian Emperor ousted him. Fulk I of Anjou , a Carolingian descendant, was the first viscount of Angers (before 898 until 929) and of Tours (898–909), and count of Nantes (909–919). Around 929, he took the title of count (earl) of Angers and founded the first Anjou dynasty, the House of Ingelger ( French: Ingelgeriens ). Angers subsequently formed the capital of

7040-403: The town militia, and upon returning to Paris reported on the state of affairs in Loudun including the recent disturbance at the Ursuline convent. In November 1633, de Laubardemont was commissioned to investigate the matter. Grandier was arrested as a precaution against his fleeing the area. The Commissioner then began to take statements from witnesses who said Grandier often mysteriously appeared at

7128-524: Was a near copy of Sister Madeleine's renouncement two years earlier. More than 20 years later, in 1634, the Aix-en-Provence possessions set precedent for the conviction and execution of Urbain Grandier . Angers Angers ( UK : / ˈ ɒ̃ ʒ eɪ / , US : / ɒ̃ ˈ ʒ eɪ , ˈ æ n dʒ ər z / ; French: [ɑ̃ʒe] ) is a city in western France , about 300 km (190 mi) southwest of Paris . It

7216-405: Was accused and convicted of causing the possession by a pact with the devil, and he was tortured by strappado and his bones dislocated. He was then executed on April 1611 by strangulation and his body burned. This case provided the legal precedent for the conviction and execution of Urbain Grandier at Loudun more than 20 years later. This event led to possessions spreading to other convents and

7304-519: Was apparently suddenly free of all possession. Her fellow demoniac, Sister Louise Capeau, was possessed until she died. Capeau accused a blind girl who was executed in July 1611. Both of the sisters were banished from the convent, but Madeleine remained under the watch of the Inquisition. She was charged with witchcraft in 1642 and again in 1652. During her second trial, Madeleine was again found to have

7392-444: Was assisted in his investigation by another Dominican, Father Doncieux. In the winter of 1610, they underwent further attempts at exorcism at Sainte-Baume in a holy cave where, according to tradition, Mary Magdalen had once lived. The women appeared to be trying to outdo each other. Capeau would speak in a deep bass voice; Demandolx would scream obscenities. All were convinced they were possessed. During one of these sessions Gaufridi

7480-453: Was claimed to have seduced Demandolx, to have caused her to become possessed, and taken her to sabbats. Anti-clerical French republican Jules Michelet gives credence to the claim that Gaufridi seduced Demandolx, and perhaps others. However, Michelet views Gaufridi, not as a parish priest of Marseille, but the spiritual director of the nuns at Aix, where, due to their monotonous lives and excessive imagination, most of them were infatuated with

7568-523: Was happening at the convent. Grandier filed a petition stating that his reputation was under attack and that the nuns should be confined. The Archbishop of Bordeaux intervened and ordered the nuns sequestered, upon which the appearances of possession seemed to subside for a time. The nuns' increasingly extreme behavior: shouting, swearing, barking, etc. drew a considerable number of spectators. Eventually, Cardinal Richelieu decided to intervene. Grandier had already offended Richelieu by his public opposition to

7656-521: Was the parish priest. In 1607 Demandolx entered the Ursuline convent at Marseille where she confessed to the superior that she had been intimate with Gaufridi. The mother superior then sent her to Aix to place Demandolx some distance from Gaufridi. In the summer of 1609, Demandolx began to exhibit convulsions, shaking and other symptoms of what was taken to be demonic possession, and the condition seemed to be contagious, as other nuns also began to show symptoms. All attempts at exorcism proved unsuccessful. When

7744-425: Was traditionally known as the "Black City" ( la Ville Noire ) because many roofs were built of slate , due to the quarry in neighbouring Trélazé . These have become less common since the development of the city in the 19th century. The city has also been known as: The coat of arms of Angers bears the French royal fleur de lys of the dukes of Anjou (the first duke was the son of the king of France, Jean II );

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