Marie-Joseph Angélique – May you rest in peace
by donalee Moulton
In June 1734, Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman, is found guilty of burning the lower town of Montreal to the ground. For this, it is determined, she must die.
Conflagration! follows the trial, conviction, and execution of Angélique, now honored on a Canadian stamp. In an era when lawyers are banned from practicing in New France, Angélique is on her own. Philippe Archambeau holds court in this historical mystery, a clerk assigned specifically to document her case. He believes Angélique might just be telling the truth. Or not.
This is spectacle. Angélique is being wheeled through the streets of Montréal in a cart. In her hand, she holds a burning torch, an acknowledgement of her crime. Someone, as is tradition, has stripped her bare and placed a white chemise over her body.
This is humiliation. The hand cart that carries Angélique on her final journey is usually used to transport garbage. I look at the people who look at Angélique as she makes her way to the hanging post, and I wonder if this is what they see: garbage. If this somehow gives them a sense of justice. On Angélique’s white shirt is embroidered: incendiaire. A life has been reduced to a single word.
This is revenge. We have won. Justice has prevailed. Angélique stops at Notre-Dame, one last chance to make things right with God, the King, and the crowds who throng the streets. Her amende honorable. I do not know if Angélique believes in God, our god. I can hear my mother’s voice, “There is only one god.” Would the Negress slave agree?
This is power. We have decided Angélique is guilty. She most likely is. The evidence, such as it is, supports this conclusion. There are no other suspects. Does that give us the right to decide what happens to her soul?
On Monday, June 21, 1734, Marie-Joseph Angélique is hanged in front of the house she is said to have burned. Her body will be displayed on a gibbet for two hours. Then it will be placed on a pyre. Her ashes will be collected and scattered to the wind. It will be the final degradation.
Such a sad tale of mob mentality, hysteria, and brutality. Just as the house, Angelique allegedly burned is how injustice spreads. I suppose a stamp is better than the justice and humanity she deserved. Conflagration is important work, donalee.
Thank you. Sadly, Angelique’s story remains unknown to many Canadians.
I was not familiar with her story nor that the country eventually saw fit to create a stamp in her name.
Montreal also has a plaque in her honor in old town where Angelique once lived. And died.
donalee, I bought this book ages ago but have not yet read it. Must move it up in my TBR rotation!
Do let me know what you think. Had you heard of Angelique?
Great post!
Thank you.
I’ve never heard of Angelique. Thanks for making her story known. No one has the right or power to condemn anyone’s soul.
It is not an easy story. Glad I had an opportunity to share what I learned.