Antoinette Bonnet: A Story of Feminine Power and Persecution

« During 2 centuries, 9 million witches were burned in Europe, because it was a feminine power that was beginning to worry society. Every time [les femmes] tried to come out, to react, whether it was the feminists today or the witches yesterday, it was a frenzied reaction to bring them back to their place.” So, ” Woman therefore witch » it begins with a preface, words from Benoîte Groult, French journalist, novelist and feminist activist who died in 2016.

« She is very, too popular with the villagers, she is annoying. »

In her story, as in the title of the novel, Maryse Mezard underlines a certain parallel between these women, considered witches, and those of today, who are also disturbing with their beauty, their intelligence, their commitment.

Antoinette Bonnet lived in the 16th century in the women’s abbey of Saint-Pierre-des-Chazes. Very poor, she was a victim of the jealousy and power of Abbess Catherine de Rivoyre. Between historical story and story of invention, the author recounts the journey of this woman, with powerful healing powers: “ Since a young age, she has known how to calm pain and soothe the mind. She helps women give birth to their children, knows the power of plants, and has a strange gift of divination. She is very, too popular with the villagers, she is annoying. The Abbess of Chazes, jealous of her notoriety, sets a trap for her, thinking of making her disappear forever. »

A story anchored in history

Let’s go back to the origin of this story. Passionate about literature and history for many years, Maryse never took up writing until she found herself forced to leave her old job. She then decided to take the plunge and share her passion. So she writes A different life (2018), Freedom… (2019), et Lulu (2020).

Until the day she looks at the story of Antoinette Bonnet. A story that she has heard for a long time from those around her and the inhabitants of her village, but about which she has very little information. It is then on the website of the National Library of France, Gallica, that the novelist finds more details on the existence of Antoinette Bonnet, “ she-devil of Boissiéres » having lived in Saint-Julien-des-Chazes and exorcised in 1569.

➡️ View the document in question ⬅️

« This brave demon hunter had this poor patient taken by force to the church”

This document reads: “ And this is how it happened on the twentieth day of the month of May, the year 1569. In the Church of which we have spoken: at which time the misfortune having brought that Antoinette Bonnet from the place of Boissiéres, parish of Sainte -Marie-des-Chazes, found herself really possessed by a large number of evil spirits, which gave her a lot of trouble, one of trouble for a long time, and to the whole neighborhood: and among others to the regent Catherine of Rivoyre, Lady and Abbess of the noble and the monastery of Chazes, who touched with compassion to see the horrible state of this poor woman, gave the order that she was exorcised by the reverend Father Bourbon, monk of La Chaise-Dieu, as clear-sighted in the eyes of the spirit, and was all in this matter, as he was blind in the eyes of the body.
This brave demon hunter had this poor patient taken by force to the church of Sainte-Marie, and having exorcised her in front of the great altar, he took her to the right side of the entrance to the church, where the we see three sepulchers (tomb of Christ, Editor’s note), two which have no other foundation than the paving stone […] »

More research followed, particularly on the living conditions of the time such as “the climatic elements (storms, harsh winter, drought, floods of the Allier), health elements (plague), the poverty of the people, the power of the nobility etc… I also looked for writings on the life of the Benedictines of Chazes: a convent bringing together girls from the nobility of Velay and Gévaudan, an opulent and powerful convent, dominating Haut-Allier and extending over the surrounding areas. A place rich in history where they lived, often living against their will. »

While her next novel is already in preparation, the author will be present this Saturday, November 18 at the Fnac in Puy-en-Velay, to make signings and chat with readers.