A
Feudal Ceremony, Suited To Early Times, Which Imposed A Real And
Substantial Obligation On Those Who Performed It, Not To Be Violated
Without Forfeiture And Dishonour.
The king of Great Britain having
succeeded to the rights of the French crown, this ceremony is still
retained.
"Fealty and homage is rendered at this day (1834) by the seigniors to
the Governor, as the representative of the sovereign, in the following
form: His Excellency being in full dress and seated in a state chair,
surrounded by his staff, and attended by the Attorney-General, the
seignior, in an evening dress and wearing a sword, is introduced into
his presence by the Inspector General of the Royal Domain and Clerk of
the Land Roll, and having delivered up his sword, and kneeling upon
one knee before the Governor, places his right hand between his and
repeats the ancient oath of fidelity; after which a solemn act is
drawn up in a register kept for that purpose, which is signed by the
Governor and the seignior, and countersigned by the proper officers."
- (Hawkin's Picture of Quebec.)
The historian, Ferland, Notes sur les Registres de Notre Dame de
Quebec, relates one of the earliest instances (1634) of the manner
the foi et hommage was rendered. It is that of Jean Guion (Dion?)
vassal of Robert Giffard, seignior of Beauport: "Guion presents
himself in the presence of a notary, at the principal door of the
manor-house of Beauport; having knocked, one Boulle, farmer of
Giffard, opened the door and in reply to Guion's question, if the
seignior was at home, replied that he was not, but that he, Boulle,
was empowered to receive acknowledgments and homage for the vassals in
his name.
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