Corvée

Appearing in France in the 9th century, the corvée meant work that had to be done without pay for a seigneur. When applied in New France in the context of the Seigneurial system, the corvée was forced upon the censitaire (tenant) who had to give the seigneur one to four days of work each year. The corvée brought together physically fit men for the construction and maintenance of the mill, the roads and fences, or for any other task serving the common good. Eventually, the corvée became a custom that, in time of catastrophe, rallied large numbers of volunteers to help those who were struck by misfortune.