The seigneurial system was modeled after the feudal system in Europe and included a system of rights and duties between seigneurs and censitaires (habitants).

Purpose
Its aim was to encourage the settlement of New France and to promote the distribution of land.

                                                  Characteristics

A seigneury was granted to a seigneur. The seigneur was obliged to rent long lots (concessions) on his seigneury to tenant-farmers called censitaires (habitants). The lots were narrow rectangular tracts of land found perpendicular to a river allowing more settlers access to the river. The seigneur also built roads, a mill, an oven, and held a court to settle disputes. In return, the censitaires cleared their lots, paid rent as a portion of their income and in the form of food and produce (cens et rentes), worked 3 days a year without pay (corvée), and paid a tax (lods et ventes) if they sold their lots.

Try the following questions on the seigneurial system.