18TH CENTURY FRENCH DRUMMING

BY

MARGARET FORTIER

1977

Report H E 9

Fortress of Louisbourg

Return/retour

FEU DE JOIE

On occasions such as an important victory over the enemy, the king's birthday or the birth of an heir to the throne, the governor of a place might be ordered to celebrate with a feu de joie and the singing of the Te Deum. He would convey his order to members of the clergy and the principal magistrates, and the day for the celebration would be set, the usual time for such activities being at sunset. On the appointed day the entire garrison would take arms with the soldiers lining the ramparts as the governor and other leading personages made their way to the church on foot. Inside the church the governor would "se met sur un prié-Dieu qui lui est préparé comme pour le Roy, dont il represente la personne dans cette occasion ..." As the celebrant would entone the Te Deum, the bell would be rung to signal the artillery which would immediately begin a discharge by salvos. When the artillery fired its last round, the soldiers on the ramparts, ranged en haie on the banquette, would fire their muskets by volleys also. The drums would be beating, and all would cry: "Vive le Roy." This would all be done three times. When the Te Deum and other prayers had ended, the governor and others inside the church would go to the Place D'Armes or wherever the celebration was taking place, and prepare for the principal feu de joie. He would illuminate one side of the area beginning with his torch while the magistrates would light the other. As the torches were lit, the artillery and muskets would. be fired for the last time. [1]

Return/retour