Angelets

Quick Facts: Who was Angelets?

Subject:

Angelets

Known for:

Catalan peasant rebels who fought against French tax policies in Roussillon (1667–1675).

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Angelets, or “Angelets of the Land” (in Catalan, “Angelets de la Terra”), were peasants who rose up in peasant revolts from 1667 to 1675 against the French authorities in Roussillon; the group of conflicts of the period is called the Revolt of the Angelets. The cause was the institution of the gabelle, a tax on salt, in 1661—a measure contrary to the traditional Constitutions of Catalonia applied to the earldoms (the earldoms of Roussillon and Cerdanya, both lands of the Principality of Catalonia from 1172 to 1659). The revolt first concerned the county of Vallespir, then it spread to those of Conflent and Roussillon. The reason why the revolts are referred to as “angelets” is unknown. One of the explanations advanced is the popular belief according to which the angels know the mountains well; another is the faculty that they have of appearing and disappearing.

Career & Major Achievements

As for the word “miquelets,” it refers primarily to Catalan mercenaries but sometimes to armed peasants. There is thus confusion among the ancient authors, particularly in relation to the war of Holland: They designate under the name “miquelets” all those who, in the province of Roussillon, oppose the king of France—though it be angelets or Catalan mercenaries in the service of the king of Spain. Archangel Michael is the patron saint of the miquelets and the wool-workers of Prats-de-Mollo, he who gave a sacred tint to one revolt that reclaimed liberties with the patriotic cry of “Visca la terra!” (“Long live the Land!”) On May 8, 1659, the Catalan Revolt came to an end, and on November 7, the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed between the Spanish and the French monarchies. The agreement notably foresaw a division of the Principality of Catalonia between the two sovereigns. The crown of France annexed five comarques (corresponding to the two counties, minus lower Cerdanya and Llívia): the comarques of Roussillon Vallespir Conflent Capcir the burghs and villages of French Cerdagne, that is the east of the count of Cerdagne Louis XIV engaged himself with respecting the local customs.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

But, since June 1660, he replaced Catalan institutions and agencies with his own political, judiciary, and fiscal structures. He created a sovereign Council at Perpignan. Resistance to the new master began in March 1661. Having come to settle a disagreement between the inhabitants of Ayguatébia and those of Oreilla, the viguier (magistrate) Marsal was violently attacked. He succeeded in escaping, but the notary and the domestic who accompanied him were killed.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1659: 1659 Milestone — ”) On May 8, 1659, the Catalan Revolt came to an end, and on November 7, the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed between the Spanish and the French monarchies.
2. 1660: 1660 Milestone — But, since June 1660, he replaced Catalan institutions and agencies with his own political, judiciary, and fiscal structures.
3. 1661: 1661 Milestone — The cause was the institution of the gabelle, a tax on salt, in 1661—a measure contrary to the traditional Constitutions of Catalonia applied to the earldoms (the earldoms of Roussillon and Cerdanya, both lands of the Principality of Catalonia from 1172 to 1659).
4. 1667: 1667 Milestone — The Angelets, or “Angelets of the Land” (in Catalan, “Angelets de la Terra”), were peasants who rose up in peasant revolts from 1667 to 1675 against the French authorities in Roussillon; the group of conflicts of the period is called the Revolt of the Angelets.

Notable Quotes by Angelets

“Visca la terra! (“Long live the Land!”)”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Angelets

True or False: “The Angelets revolts were solely caused by disputes over local administrative boundaries following the Treaty of the Pyrenees.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While territorial changes were a backdrop, the immediate and primary catalyst for the revolt was the re-institution of the unpopular salt tax, known as the gabelle.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Cowley — Historical peer (Died in 1667) (1667): Leading 17th-century English poet and essayist, celebrated for his wit and verse.
• Abraham de Moivre — Historical peer (Born in 1667) (1667): Pioneering French mathematician known for complex numbers, probability theory, and the normal distribution.
• Emperor Higashiyama — Historical peer (Born in 1675) (1675): The 113th Emperor of Japan whose reign spanned the Genroku era.
• Guillaume Delisle — Historical peer (Born in 1675) (1675): Pioneering French cartographer renowned for accurate maps of Europe and the Americas.
• Cardinal Mazarin — Historical peer (Died in 1661) (1661): Italian prelate and chief minister who shaped French power during the 17th century.
• Charles II of Spain — Historical peer (Born in 1661) (1661): Last Habsburg King of Spain; his death triggered the War of the Spanish Succession.
• Shota Rustaveli — Historical peer (Born in 1172) (1172): Pre-eminent poet of the Georgian Golden Age, author of The Knight in the Panther's Skin.
• Abaza Hasan Pasha — Historical peer (Died in 1659) (1659): Ottoman governor and Celali rebel who challenged the central government in the mid-17th century.
• Abel Tasman — Historical peer (Died in 1659) (1659): Dutch explorer famed for charting Tasmania and New Zealand for the VOC.
• Daniel Defoe — Historical peer (Born in 1660) (1660): Pioneering English novelist, journalist, and merchant of the early 18th century.

Frequently Asked Questions about Angelets