Archives d'Anjou

Using archival materials and church charters from the province of Anjou, archivist Paul Marchegay draws a broad and comprehensive picture of the history of this province in western France. Volume 2, published in 1853, comprises charters from the abbey of Marmoutiers, near Tours, that give an insight into local life through centuries. There is a document listing the names of the nobility of Angers in 1310 and another that counts the number of fishmongers registered as trading in Angers between 1408 and 1449. The most curious piece among the documents dates from around 1060 and tells of the burial place of a knight who fell in battle; his mother and brother then brought the body to the priory at Daumeray near Angers. The documents in this work give vivid and authentic images of medieval life, faith and traditions.