The Alpage of the Western Alps, 1500–1914: Europe’s Highest Cultural Landscape

Dodgshon, Robert

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-16361-7_6

Robert Dodgshon⁹

Part of the book series: Historical Geography and Geosciences ((HIGEGE))

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1 Citations

Abstract

Amongst the varied use rights that existed on the Alpine commons, that of grazing on the alpage was the most valuable, at least as regards what it added to the viability of the farm economy. Defined simply, the alpage was the high, seasonally grazed pasture of the Alps. Across the wide range of published output available on the topic, studies have either focussed on detailed commune -based case studies or have taken a wider approach by surveying the nature of the alpage across the region as a whole. This chapter mixes aspects of both these approaches, drawing on both commune-level and territorial data drawn from French and Swiss archives. Altogether, it examines seven aspects. First, it examines how the alpage was defined as a physical space. Second, it examines the ecology of the alpage and how its opportunities fitted into the wider farming system. Third, it explores the different ways in which the grazing capacity of alpage was defined. Fourth, it looks at the different institutional forms, practices and regulations that emerged to manage grazing rights and the production of milk, cheese and butter. Fifth, it reviews the ways in which the grazing capacity attached to the alpage was allocated between those with use rights. Sixth, it brings together some of the points already made about the development and opening up of the alpage. Seventh, it explores questions about whether its condition deteriorated over time and, with it, output.

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Notes

1.
Viazzo, Upland Communities, 127.
2.
For example, Baud, Legaz and Gauchon, ‘L’alpage de L’Erellaz: entre espaces privés et espaces communs’, 139–140; Netting, Balancing on an Alp, 64–9.
3.
For example, Carrier, Water and Grass. A Study of the Pastoral Economy of Southern Europe, 197–323; Frödin, Zentraleuropas Alpwirtschaft, vols. 1 and 2; Loup, ‘L’exploitation des alpages dans les Alpes’, 393–428; Thouret, ‘Pour une perspective géographique de l’étagement dans les grand systèmes montagneux’, 189–212; Head-Kőnig, ‘L’évolution des alpages et de l’élevage dans les Alpes de la Suisse centrale et orientale’, 95–103; Head-Kőnig, ‘Régulation ètatique, biens communaux et alpages dans une société préalpestre et alpestre en voie d’industrialisation’, 50–7; Head-Kőnig, ‘Les alpages en Suisse’, 316–36; Dubuis, Une économie alpine à la fin du Moyen Age: Orsières, l’Entremont et les régions voisines 1250–1500, 2 vols; Mouthon, ‘Le règlement des conflits d’alpage dans les Alpes occidentales (X111^e-XV1^e siècle)’, 259–79; Orland, ‘Turbo-Cows’, 167–189; Orland, ‘Alpine Milk: Dairy Farming as a Pre-modern Strategy of Land Use’, 327–64.
4.
Orland, ‘Alpine milk: Dairy farming as a pre-modern strategy of land use’, Footnote 22.
5.
See AM-N, E058/018 HH1, ‘Ordonnances municipales de com^te de St. Martin’; AHP-DLB, Jausiers, E dep 96/1, ‘Capitulations municipales de la communauté de Jausiers … 1682’.
6.
A good example of this is provided by S-C, Avanchers, 190 Edépôt 108, ‘Extrait des Registres des déliberations de la Commune Des Avanchers … onze Vendémiaire an quatorze’ which reserved the summit of rocks to sheep and other small animals.
7.
AEV-S, 3040 B 321. 0. 44, ‘Règlement Bourgeoisal de la Commune d’Orsières 1902’.
8.
Hautes Alpes, Gap, Crevoux, 3 E 3200, ‘Conventions’, 1771.
9.
Ibid., La Cluse en Dévoluy, 3 E 2987, ‘Extrait du Registre, 1854’.
10.
S-C, C435, ‘Dénombrement de la Gabelle du Sel, 1776’.
11.
Ibid., ‘Dénombrement de la Gabelle du Sel, 1776’.
12.
AEV-S, 3040 B 321. 0. 44, ‘Règlement Bourgeoisal de la Commune d’Orsières, 1902’.
13.
Ibid. The cantons with the greatest number were Bern and Grisons, the former having 596 alpes held by 184 communes and the latter having 597 alpes held by 76 communes.
14.
Based on Economie Alpestre de la Suisse en 1864, publié par le Bureau de Statistique, Bern, 1868.
15.
This intensification was in progress from the sixteenth century, see Head-Kőnig, A.L., ‘L’évolution des alpages et de l’élevage dans les Alpes de la Suisse centrale et orientale’, 95; Orland, ‘Alpine milk’, 388.
16.
AEF-F, ‘Registre des Arrêttes du Conseil D’Etat, Conseil d’Etat, ‘Règlement pour le partage des communs d’Estevenens’, Art. 4, 1835, p. 252. Some regulations rehearsed the boundaries of an alpage , as with the Montagne of Thyon, in the Val d’Hérémence, see AEV-S, 3040 B 321.1, vol. 1, 1910–1920, no. 4, ‘Copie des Statuts de la Montagne Thyon, 1914’, regulation no. 53.
17.
These definitions are based on the introductory notes to the Hauterive rentals in the Archives guide prepared by H. Foerster, see ‘Répertoire des Grosses d’Hauterive’, AEF-F, RL 14, 1–111.
18.
S-C, Avanchers, 190 Edépôt 108, ‘Location de la montagne communale de Mallatray, Cahier des charges, 1870’, Art. 4.
19.
AEF-F, ‘Répertoire des Grosses d’Hauterive’, RL14, A11, 1695, pp. 38–39.
20.
Data drawn from Statistisches Jahrbuch der Schweiz , 1917, 289–90.
21.
The mayen was a term used in the Swiss Alps for such pasture. Surveys sometimes labelled fields as the mayen, see AEV-S, Anniviers, 265f, ‘Premier livre’. Reference to the management of mayen at Ayent can be found in ibid., Ayent, Inventory, ‘Règlement du pâturage des mayens, 1536’. A discussion of its use, in May/June en route to the alpages and in Sept/Oct on the way back, can be found in Loup, Pasteurs et Agriculteurs Valaisans, 197. See also, Viallet, Les Alpages et la Vie d’une Communauté Montagnarde, 53.
22.
See Loup, ‘L’exploitation des alpages dans les Alpes’, 394; Head-Kőnig, ‘Les alpages en Suisse … (XVIe-début XIXe. Siècle)’, 315; Kissling-Naf, Volken and Bisang, ‘Common property and natural resources in the Alps’, 135–47. Historical variations are well covered by Head-Kőnig, ‘L’évolution des alpages et de l’élevage dans les Alpes de la Suisse centrale et orientale’, 95–103, especially 95–7.
23.
Ibid., 394–5.
24.
This point is well made by Orland, ‘Alpine milk’, 337.
25.
The Economie Alpestre de la Suisse en 1864 actually uses the term alpe.
26.
Ibid., xiv.
27.
These figures do not represent the total owing to the gaps in the 1864 listing. That held by a convent was the alpage of La Pierre in Saint-Pierre commune , ibid., 188.
28.
AEV-F, D1 132.2.2. 1, ‘Statistique des Alpages. L’enquête sur les alpages terminée en 1895’.
29.
For example, ibid., ‘Affaires Intérieures’, 3040 B Article 321, no. 5, ‘La jouissance de Montagne à Millibé en Hérémence’, sd.
30.
I-G, Ambel, 4E68/8, ‘Droits de paquerage et de bûcherage sur la territoire d’Ambel 1643’.
31.
AEF-F, Mézières, no. 43, ‘Toutes … commune de Mézières… 15 fevrier au sujet de rêgler les communs’.
32.
Ibid.
33.
Ibid., Sion, 3040 B 321. 0. 44, ‘Copie des Statuts de la Montagne Thyon, 1914’. The statutes set the minimum for access to the consortage as 1/8th of a share or fond.
34.
Head-Kőnig, ‘Les alpages en Suisse’, 321–2.
35.
Netting, 1976. ‘What Alpine peasants have in common’, 135–46.
36.
A 1654 list of regulations governing the montagne of Torten, Nendaz, refers to ‘the shareholders and consorts of the mountain’ making it clear the two forms were interchangeable, AEV-S, Inventory, Nendaz, see pp. 58–9.
37.
Netting, Balancing on an Alp, 60.
38.
Head-Kőnig, ‘Les alpages en Suisse’, 321–2. Head-Kőnig saw corporations as involving inalienable rights. For this reason, they could never be sold or marketed.
39.
AEV-S, 3040 B 321.1, no. 48, ‘Acte de Consortage l’alpage de Greney, 1914’. In the Economie Alpestre , pp. 186–88, Greney was still classed as an alpe owned by the commune.
40.
Loup, ‘L’exploitation des alpages dans les Alpes’, 393–428.
41.
The c.1895 returns on alps referred to it as a ‘montagne de consorts’, see AEV-S, D1. 132. 2.2, ‘Statistique sur les montagnes du Valais’, s.d., p. 13.
42.
Though described as held by the commune in the 1864 Economie Alpestre , p.190, all the eight alpages belonging to Monthey were seen as held by the ‘bourgeoisie de Monthey’ in the manuscript returns compiled c.1895, see AEV-S, D1. 132. 2.2., Statistique sur les montagnes (pâturages) du Valais, s.d., p. 2. See also, ibid., Affaires Intérieures, 3040 B 321.1, no.3, ‘Règlement bourgeoisial la commune de Granges, 1880’; ibid, 3040 B Article 321.0. no. 1, ‘Règlement de Bourgeoisie de Grôme, 1881’. The latter makes it clear that this was about ‘the right of bourgeoisie’ to the fruits of commons, rights that were held ‘by succession, by alliance, by acquisition’, though each pathway was subject to qualification, see Articles no. 6–14.
43.
Head-Kőnig, ‘Les alpages en Suisse’, 321.
44.
For example, AEV-S, Affaires Intérieures, 1858–1947, 3040 B Article 321.0, no. 26, ‘Règlement sur la jouissance des avoirs des grands communiers de Randogne, Mallens, Venthone, etc …1872’.
45.
Head-Kőnig, ‘Les alpages en Suisse’, 317.
46.
Economie Alpestre , 164–70.
47.
Viazzo, Upland Communities, 248–9.
48.
Head-Kőnig. ‘Les alpages en Suisse’, 322.
49.
Economie Alpestre, 192–5.
50.
Ibid., 194–5.
51.
AEV-S, D1. 132. 2.2, ‘Statistique sur les montagnes du Valais’, s.d., 3.
52.
For example,. S-C, Bessans, 94 Edépôt 8, ‘Règlement pour les pâturage 1768–1772’.
53.
Ibid., Bessans, 94 Edépôt 8, ‘Règlement pour les pâturage 1768–1772’. The authorities at Bessans were especially keen to register those stock brought in for summer and destined to be returned to the market in autumn as separate from those overwintered.
54.
For example, S-C, C1429, ‘Intendence de Tarentaise—Justices et Police 1754–60’, 1756; ibid., S-C, C706, ‘Sur la Division des Communaux … La Plagne’, Tarentaise; HS-A, Entremont, 2 O Art. 900, ‘Extrait du Registre … 1868; AEV-S, ‘Règlement Bourgeoisial de la Commune de Troiscurrents, 1916’.
55.
For example, HS-A, Entremont, 2 O Art. 900, ‘Extrait du Registre … 1868’.
56.
S-C, Avanchers, 190 Edépôt 108, ‘Location de la Montagne communale de Mallatray’, 1871.
57.
AEV-S, ‘Règlement du consortage du Haut Ztan, 1821’, in the commune of Nax. Comparable statutes are provided by ibid., ‘Statuts et règlement de la montagne d’Essertze d’Hérémence, 1914’.
58.
Ibid., ‘Statuts ou règlements de la montagne d’Essertze dHérémence 1914’.
59.
Examples of the term paquerage in use can be found in I-G, Entraigues, 4E440/179, Dispute between communes of Entraigues and Valbonnais, 1671; ibid., La Perie, 4E550/161, ‘Directoire des Districts’, An VII; ibid., Mizëon, 4E31/89, ‘Rolle de communaux …Mizëon’. The equation of a paquier with a cow is made clear in Fribourg, Mézières, no. 43, ‘Toutes … commune de Mézières … 15 février au suject de rêgler les communs’. Not all areas used the term paquier for a cow unit. Other terminologies were present. Viallet, for example, documents the systematic use of the term champéage for a cow unit in a 1607 cadastre in her study of Sain-Maxime de Beaufort, see Viallet, Les Alpages et la Vie d’une Communauté, 94–5.
60.
Detailed discussion of paquerage, and the equivalences established between stock, provided by Economie Alpestre , 261–3.
61.
Examples of the systems of paquier (paquerage, pacage, etc.) in use can be found in I-G, Le Freney, ‘Règlement … du Freney en Maurienne, 1615’; ibid., Besse, 4E25/S-10, ‘Usage de la Communauté de la Besse biens communaux et droits d’usage, 1701’; ibid., Valbonnais, 4E440/179, Ms concerning ‘La Montagne appellée le Colombier’, 1671; HA-G, E Dépôt 16bN8 Montoyer, ‘Rôle [Rolle]de paquerage, 1812, 1813 and 1815’. The listings per commune assembled in the Economie Alpestre of 1864 still shows that many Swiss communes maintained their stocking assessment in paquiers. A detailed discussion of how such a system was implemented is provided by AEF-F, Méxières, no. 43, ‘Observations Pour l’honourable Commune de Méxières’, 1792. Méxières commune provides a particularly good example of how the different dimensions of the problem had to be aligned, with 46 communiers, 156 poses in its commons and a rating of 179 paquier.
62.
See, for example, AEF-F, RL14, A12, Rv. ‘Des Alpes, Charmey, Corbières … 1710’.
63.
Ibid., RL14, Cote Hauterive, 1695, pp. 1–2.
64.
HS-A, Saint-Sigismond, E Dépôt 1N6, ‘Verbaux de l’année 1730 … concernant les Limites qui separent les possessions des particuliers d’avec les Communs’.
65.
The pose in Vaud is defined in Develey, Précis du Nouveau Système Des Poids et Mesures du Canton de Vaud en Suisse, 10. A broader perspective is provided by Dubuis. In his analysis of the pose, he argued that in the context of arable—it was the equivalent of the journal, a day’s work with a plough, Dubuis, Une économie alpine à la fin du Moyen Age: Orsières , l’ Entremont et les régions voisines 1250–1500, vol. 1, 228. In terms of extent though, he noted its variability, with the pose used around Geneva being equivalent to 2700 m² in the late eighteenth century and that in Chablais being 3700 m².
66.
AEF-F, Grosses Hauterive RL14, A5a, ‘Domaines des Alpes, 1772’. Elsewhere in the canton of Fribourg, poses were used at Mézières, its commons being rated as 156 poses, Fribourg, no. 43, Mézières, no. 13, ‘Observations pour l’honourable Commune de Mézières, 1792’.
67.
Levade, Dictionnaire Geographique, Statistique et Historique du Canton de Vaud.
68.
AEV-S, Ayent, L17, ‘Ratamentun and Regula Jurium Montis de Serein 1661’.
69.
Ibid., Ayent suppliment, R 184, Annexe 2, ‘Tilliet contenant les droits de fonds des quatre alpages d’Ayent, 1938’.
70.
Ibid., Ayent Suppliment, R 184, ‘Règlement de cinq montagnes d’Ayent et d’Arbaz, Ravil, Serein, Duez, Zaland et la Combaz renouvellée l’an du seigneur’, 1852 and 1853.
71.
A particularly detailed example is provided by the commune of La-Cluse-en-Dévoluy (Hautes-Alpes), a commune with access to six separate montagnes, each of which had a separate density of stocking calculated, see HA-G, La-Cluse-en-Dévoluy, 3 E Art. 2987, ‘Extrait du Registre des Actes de la Prefecture, 1854’.
72.
Statements that every head of household had an equal right in the commons can be found in ibid., Gap, O 14098, Névache, ‘Délibération du Conseil Municipal … Pâturages Communaux’, 1853; ibid., 0 14098, La Roche, ‘Délibération du Conseil Municipal … Pâturages Communaux, 1853’. That for La Cluse makes it clear that an equal right in the commons meant an equal portion, ibid., La Cluse en Dvoluy, 3 E 2987, ‘Extrait du registre … La Cluse, 1854’.
73.
A good example is provided by ibid., Savines, E Dépôt, 9 N8, ‘Délibération du Conseil Municipal sur l’Administration des Pâturages Communaux, Commune des Savines, 1853’. The commune , it was said, should not exceed the number for which sufficient feed existed. After calculating the extent of each block of pasture, and their carrying capacity, it derived a total carrying capacity. With 260 heads of family present, it then stipulated that each had right to 11 small animals (i.e. sheep). If large animals (i.e. cows, horses) were to be grazed instead, then each animal was weighted as equivalent to four sheep. Likewise, at la Grave, the total pasture available is given as just over 2682 ha. At four ‘small’ animals per hectare, this gave a total capacity of 10,728 ‘small’ animals. This worked out as 26 ‘small’ animals per head of family. Large animals were computed as the equivalent of five small ones, but there was a limit of only three large animals, with 11 small ones, see ibid., La Grave, O 14098, ‘Extrait du Registre…La Grave’, 1854. For other detailed examples, see ibid., La Cluse en Dévoluy, 3 E 2987, ‘Extrait du Registre, 1854; ibid, O 14098, Névache, ‘Délibération du Conseil Municipal … Pâturages Communaux, 1853’.
74.
HS-A, Saint-Sigismond, 3 E Art. 2987, ‘Règlement des Pâturages, 1910’.
75.
HA-G, La Grave , E Dépôt Art. 7/E Dépôt 7 N3, 1864. See also, I-G, Le Périer, 4E550/222, ‘Nomination de deux Commissaires…Le Périer’, 1854.
76.
I-G, Besse, 4E25/S_88, Untitled MS, dated 1798. See also, HA-G, O 14098, ‘Extrait du Règlement Communal de la Commune Villar-d’Arêne’, 1853. Latter refers to an agreement of 1665 which granted a right of common pasture for one cow and 8 sheep for each three seterer in the cadastre. This was followed by a new agreement, 1740–1808, which gave an advantage to smaller proprietors through a rising scale of charges. The more you had, the more you paid per animal.
77.
Those for Villard-sur-Beöge provide a good illustration of the information which they provide, see ibid., Annecy, 2 L Art. 3, ‘Rôle de Paturage, 1821–1862’.
78.
HA-G, Villar d’Arêne, ‘Extrait du Règlement Communal de la Commune Villar d’Arêne’, 1853; HS-A, Entremont, 2 0 Art. 900, ‘Extrait du Registre, Règlement des pâturage’, 1873 and 1878; S-C, Avanchers, 190 Edépôt 108, ‘Extrait des Registres des déliberations de la Commune Des Avanchers ..onze Vendémiaire an quatorze’; AEV-S, Affaires Interieures, 3040 B Article 321.1 1910–1920, vol. 1, no 39, ‘Règlement Bourgeoisial de la Commune de Troiscurrents’, 1916.
79.
For example, S-C, C1439, ‘Sur la Division des communaux’, esp. Section on La Plagne; Besans, 94 Edépôt 8, ‘Règlement pour les pâturages 1768–1772’, Article 16; HA-G, Crevoux, 3E Art. 3200, Convention, 1783; I-G, Le Périer, 4E550/161, ‘Directoire des districts, an VII’; ibid., Le Périer, 4E550/222, ‘Bail à ferme’, 28 7^bre, 1823; HS-A, Entremont, 2 0 Art. 900, ‘Extrait du Registre …Entremont 1873’. Both these sources for Le Périer contain instructions as to where those bringing in stock from Provence could graze their stock, noting that part reserved for residents who had wintered stock. At Chamonix, only home and étranger stock of the same species were banned from being on the same alpage together, see HS-A, Chamonix E dépôt N.1 2, ‘Extrait des registres … Canton de Chamonix … an 5’. At Colmars, a letter written in 1787 claimed that flocks were entirely local and that they had always excluded étranger stock because of the risk of abuse to pastures and the sheer number from Provence, see AHP-DLB, E Dep 061/HH3, Letter dated 1787.
80.
I-G, Le Périer, 4E550/223, ‘Année 1867 Montée des Troupeaux Communaux’; ibid., Valbonnais, 4 E 621/131 and 132, Lists of flocks and bergers inc ‘Troupeau de Claude Escallon’; HS-A, Villard-sur-Boëge, E Dépôt 2 L, Art. 3, ‘Role du Bétail’, 1864.
81.
HS-A, Villard-sur-Boëge, E Dépôt 2L Art. 3, part of bundle headed by ‘Copie de Manifeste, 1862’.
82.
AEV-S, Ayent suppliment, R 184, annexe 2, ‘Tilliet contenant les droits de fonds des quatre alpages d’Ayent’, 1938.
83.
AM-N, Roquebillière, E 002/041 3F02, ‘Ordre de Marche’, 1888.
84.
AEF-F, Le Conseil d’Etat, Corbières, ‘la mode de la partage des communs de la Commune de Corbières’, 1834.
85.
Ibid., ‘Conseil d’Etat…Règlement pour le partage des Communs d’Estavannes’, 23 March 1842.
86.
AEV-S, Ayent Suppliment, R 184, ‘Règlement de cinq montagnes d'Ayent et d'Arbaz, Ravil, Serein, Duez, Zaland et la Combaz renouvellée l’an du seigneur, 1852 and 1853’.
87.
Ibid., D1. 132. 2. 2, ‘Statistiques des Alpages’, 1895.
88.
Ibid., Ayent, L17, ‘Ratamentun & Regula Jurium Montis de Serein 1661’; ibid., Ayent suppliment, R 184, annexe 2, ‘Tilliet contenant les droits de fonds des quatre alpages d’Ayent, 1938’. See also, ibid., Ayent Suppliment, R 184, ‘Règlement de cinq montagnes d’Ayent et d’Arbaz, Ravil, Serein, Duez, Zaland et la Combaz renouvellée l’an du seigneur, 1852 and 1853’, which, uniquely amongst the listing, only rates the 282 stockholders’ rights in terms of poses but adds that four poses equal a dénéria.
89.
As mentioned earlier, the term émine as used at Ayent (and in relation to other Valaisan alpage) was a term used to help measure the capacity of particular shares in the alpage or the blocks into which the various dénéria were grouped on the ground. A detailed discussion of the meaning of émine in its various forms can be found in the Glossaire des patois de la Suisse romande (GPSR) prepared by the Institut des sciences du langage et de la communication of the Université de Neuchâtel. The Glossaire sees the émine as used at Ayent as a measure of a 'right of alp; but notes that at Lens it was used to measure the milk, butter and cheese obtained from a portion of alp.
90.
Ibid, ‘Règle de la Montagne de Serein L’an 1820’; Ibid., Ayent Suppliment, R 184, ‘Règle de cinq montagnes d’Ayent et d’Arbaz, Ravil, Serein, Duez, Zaland et la Combaz 1852 and 1853’.
91.
An equally individualised system of allocating shares in the alpe, one based on quartiers, cuileriees and seizin, can be seen in the arrangements for the alpe de Mandellon in Hérémence, see ibid., 3040 B 321 1, L’Alpe de Mandellon, no. 22, Commune of Hérémence 1915. A system based on cuileriees was also used at Conthey, see, ibid., Règlement de la Montagne d’Ayroz-Niez sur Conthey, 1914. Loup, Pasteurs et Agriculteurs Valaisans, 163, describes another individualised system used to allocate rights in the val de Conches, Valais. Some of its communes possessed two alpages that were treated as exploited by two equal groups, each known as a sentum. The stock of each group grazed each alpage in alternate years.
92.
See the chronology given by Carrier, La Vie Montagnarde en Faucigny à la Fin du Moyen Âge, 186; Carrier, ‘L’estivage en Savoie du nord à la fin du Moyen Âge’, 199–200; Head-Kőnig, ‘L'évolution des alpages', 95–103.
93.
Ibid., 97.
94.
Ibid., 97.
95.
Viallet, Les Alpages et la Vie d’une Communauté Montagnarde, 46.
96.
Gardelle and Gardelle, ‘Histoire d’un alpage communautaire’, 187.
97.
Ibid., 188.
98.
Ibid., 190.
99.
Arbos, La Vie Pastorale dans les Alpes Françaises, p. 565.
100.
Mouthon, ‘L’inventaire du bétail dans une communauté alpine à la fin du xiv^e siècle’, 20. Mouthon also referred to this ‘winter transhumance’ as ‘downwards transhumance’.
101.
Ibid., 20. Mouthon noted the surprising fact that Queyras did not see much normal inward movements of stock for summer prior to the seventeenth century, other than the return of its own stock from wintering in Piedmont, plus lambs.
102.
Sclafert, Cultures en Haute-Provence, esp. 134–5.
103.
Viallet, Les Alpages et la Vie d’une Communauté Montagnarde, 7–8.
104.
Vivier, Le Briançonnais Rural Aux XVIII^e et XIX^e Siècles, 27, refers to this two-way movement as ‘the shepherds movement’.
105.
Coste, ‘L’origine de la transhumance en Provence: enseignements d’une enquête sur les pâturages comtaux de 1345’, 113–9; Leveau, ‘Entre Le Delta du Rhône, La Crau et Les Alpes’, 83–96.
106.
Coulet, ‘Notes sur l’élevage en Haute Provence’, 257-66. Coulet’s observations are particularly directed at the views on late medieval transhumance flows documented by Sclafert, Cultures en Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. A critique of other aspects of her study can be found in Boyer, ‘Pour une histoire des fôrets de Haute Provence, (XIII^e-XIV^e S.)’, 267–90. The presence of cows is documented by data discussed in Chap. 4. See also Valdeblore, see AM-N, Valdeblore, EO79/110, 1N5, ‘Adjudication ou mise en fermes vacheries communales’, 1866.
107.
See AHP-DLB, 7M030, ‘Dept. Des Basses-Alpes—Rapport annuel sur la transhumance, 1930’.
108.
See, for example, I-G, Le Périer, 4E550/161, ‘Directoire des districts’, An vii; AHP-DLB, E Dep 205/DD07, Seyne, ‘Comparant presente par les habitants, 11th juin 1771’.
109.
The setting of a whole montagne at Crevoux is documented by HA-G, Crevoux, 3E Art. 3200, ‘Conventions 1771’ and ‘Convention, 1783’; ibid., 0 Art. 698, Les Orres, ‘Bail a ferme des Montagnes Pastorales de la Commune des Orres, 1823’; ibid., O Art. 698, ‘Bail a Ferme du Montagnes Pastorales de la Commune de Chateauroux, 1822’; ibid., O Art. 698, ‘Bail a Ferme du Montagnes Pastorales de la Commune de Vars, 1822’; I-G, Entraigues, 4E442/169, ‘Bail à ferme, 1828’.
110.
For example, see S-C, Bessans, 94 Edépôt 8, ‘Observations sur le Règlement de Bessans fait par la Délibération du trois mars mil Sept cent septante deux’, no. 15; I-G, Entraigues, 4E442/169, ‘Nomination du Berger communal, Vaches et Génisses’, 1913; ibid., ‘Cahier des Charges. Désignation du Berger, 1923’.
111.
For example, AM-N, Valdeblore, E079/110, 1N5, which provides various examples of mid-nineteenth-century banditi . See also, ibid., AM-N, Belvédère, E102/033 DD16, ‘Delimitation de la bandite de la Gordolosque … 1733’; DD17, ‘Troupeaux sur la bandite de la Gordolosque, 1740’, ibid, DD18, ‘Affermages des bandite’, covering sixtenth–eighteenth centuries.
112.
I-G, Entraigues, 4E442/169, ‘Bail à ferme, 12 8^bre 1828’.
113.
Hautes-Alpes, La-Cluse-en-Dévoluy, 3 E Art. 2918, ‘Arrentement de la montage’, 1776.
114.
Ibid., 7M030, Letter, Police rurale, ‘Troupeaux transhumants, 22 juin, 1840’.
115.
Pichard, ‘Les comptes d’une Société de bêtes à laine pour la transhumance et l’hivernage (1750–1761)’, 115–29.
116.
Mouthon, ‘L’inventaire du bétail dans une communauté alpine à la fin du XIV^e siècle’, 20.
117.
Deidda, ‘Communautés montagnardes et activité pastorale’, 61–70; Mouthon, ‘L’inventaire du bétail dans une communauté alpine à la fin du xiv^e siècle’, 5.
118.
S-C, C1033, ‘Intendance de Tarentaise’, 1779.
119.
Orland, ‘Alpine milk’, 343.
120.
AHP-DLB, 7M030, ‘Règlement Concernant la largeur des Carraires, à l’usage des Troupeaux pour leur passage de la basse à la haute Provence, 21 juillet, 1783’.
121.
I-G, 7M030, Letter, Police rurale, ‘Troupeaux transhumants, 22 juin, 1840’; AHP-DLB les Bains, 7M030, ‘Ponts et Chaussées, Rapport de l’Ingénieur en chef, 16 Août, 1863’.
122.
HA-G, Crevoux, 3 E 3200, ‘Convention’, 1782.
123.
See, for example, AM-N, Saorge, E048/HH003, ‘Convention’, 1484.
124.
An 1807 document sheds some light on how experts were expected to check for disease as stock arrived, as at Guillaumes in 1807, AM-N, Guillaumes, E007/106 5 i 3, ‘Verbal de Visites de troupeaux arrivés de la Basse provence, 5 juillet 1807’. The 1772 regulations issued for Bessans provide an example of the ban on any diseased animal being brought in from outside for summering on the alpage, see S-C, Bessans, 94 Edépôt 8, ‘Obsé rvations sur le Règlement de Bessans fait par la Déliberation du trois mars mil Sept cent Septante deux’.
125.
AHP-DLB, 7M030, ‘Lettre, Troupeaux transhumants, clarelée, 2 juin, 1892’.
126.
S-C, C863, Registre, C853, Registre, Affich, issued in the name of Joseph Angiono, 1759. See also, ibid., C863, ‘Registre, Lettre du vingt huit juillet 1759 du bureau de l’Intendance de Tarentaise’, p. 246; and letter of response issued on 30 July, 1759, p. 248. Similar restraining orders were issued when an outbreak of animal disease affected animals in the communes of Saint-Crépin and Eygliers, 1800, see HA-G, Chorges, 3 E Art. 5031, ‘Extrait des Registre du sous-préfet d’Embrun 30 thermidor an 8 République’; I-G, Valbonnais, 4E550/116, Letter, 13 September, 1744. A circular for Dauphiné refers to another devastating outbreak of animal disease in the previous decade, during 1744, 1745 and 1746, but it does not specify its case, see HA-G, 3 E 2934, ‘Circular Arrest de la Cour de Parlement, Du 7 septembre, 1750’.
127.
Orland, ‘Alpine milk’, 337.
128.
Crook, Siddle, Dearing and Thompson, ‘Human Impact on the Environment in the Annecy Petit Lac Catchment, Haute-Savoie’, 247–84.
129.
S-C, Bessans, 94 Edépôt 8, Bessans ‘Règlement de 1768’, Articles 15–17 and 20–21.
130.
Ibid., C1429, ‘Ordonannce’, 1758, page 138.
131.
I-G, Le Périer, 4E550/161, ‘Du Directoire du District de Grenoble … an vii’. See also the various letters and reports catalogued under ibid., 4E550/135, such as those starting ‘Du Douze Prairial au Trois de la République’ and ‘L’an Trois de la République francaise’, 1795.
132.
Ibid., 4E550/222, ‘Extrait du Registre … 16th février 1879’.
133.
Other examples include HA-G, Crevoux, 3E Art. 3200, ‘Convention’, 1782. See also, I-G, Auris, 4E24/N_1, Auris en Oisans, 15th 8^bre, 1847. The flocks of the Baillie of Arles were also charged with causing ‘much damage’ at La-Cluse-en-Dévoluy in 1746, see HA-G, La-Cluse-en-Dévoluy, 3 E 2918, Misc MSS without title, concerning dispute of grazing by sheep belonging to the baillie d’Arles, 1746.
134.
Ibid., Gap, Crevoux, 3 E Art. 3200, ‘Conventions’, 1771; ibid., ‘Conventions’, 1783.
135.
Ibid., 3E Art. 3200, Conventions, 1771.
136.
VAAH-A, Fonds Ville, ROD5, ‘Rapport des Communes sur les Bois et Fôrets 1782–83, Courmayeur’, Article 7, section 3, p. 98.
137.
HA-G, La Grave , E Dépôt Art. 7/E Dépôt 7 N3, Letter entitled ‘À monsieur Le Préfet des hautes Alpes’, 1864.
138.
I-G, Auris, 4E24/N_1, Letter, Auris en Oisans, le 15 8^bre, 1847. See also, HA-G, Savines, ‘Délibération du Conseil Municipal sur l’Administration des Paturages Communaux, 1853’. For other examples of conflict between local graziers and those from Provence, see Castéla, ‘La vie pastorale dans le haut Champsaur’, 514.
139.
AHP-DLB, Seyne, E Dep 205/DD07, Seyne, ‘Composant presenté par les habitans des Greyère et Chardavon au suject de la Draye, 1771’.
140.
HS-A, Saint-Sigismond, E Dépôt Art. 9, ‘Extrait du Procès-Verbale … pour l’inalpage et Pâturage des bestiaux Sur les biens Communaux’. Comparable examples are provided by HA-G, Monteyer, E Dépôt Art. 16, Letter to mayor of Monteyer commune , 1854; ibid., Villar-d’Arêne, 3 E 7911, ‘Règlement Communaux … Extrait du Règlement … Villars d’Arêne, 1853’.
141.
S-C, E dep. 205/1N5, ‘Direction des Fôrets, Rapport Monsieur M. Briot, Mise en ferme des pâturages, 1890’. The premature introduction of stock on the alpage was seen as a major factor in their degradation in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence back in 1663, see Sclafert, Cultures en Haute Provence, 172.
142.
HA-G, Villar-d’Arène, 3 E 7911, ‘Règlement Communaux an 9-1904 … Extrait du Règlement Communal de la Commune Villar d’Arène, 1853’. Other reports of deterioration and over-stocking are provided by AHP-DLB, Montclar, E Dep 126/6, ‘Extrait du Registre des Délibérations du Conseil Municipal de la Commune de Montclar, 1844’; I-G, Valbonnais, 4E440/183, ‘Extrait de La Consultation … La Comm^e de Valbonnais, 1717’.
143.
HA-G, O Art. 14098, Cervières, Letter—‘Pâturages, 18 9^bre, 1853’.
144.
Head-Kőnig, ‘L’évolution des alpages’, 98.
145.
Ibid., 98–9.
146.
Based on figures from Economie Alpestre de la Suisse en 1864, 270.
147.
Data drawn from ibid., 270.
148.
S-C, C863 Registre, no. 13, ‘Relation sur l’État de la récolte de la Province de Tarentaise dans L’année courante 1758’.
149.
I-G, Le Périer, 4E550/222, ‘Extrait du Registre … 1878’.
150.
HS-A,Saint-Sigismond, E Dépôt 3 F Art. 9, ‘Extrait du Procès Verbal … pour l’inalpage et Paturage des Bestiaux Sur les biens Communaux, 1816’, Articles 9 and 10 especially cover the process of setting the date, with a group of five residents inspecting the pastures beforehand to decide on the date for the start of inalpage each year.
151.
HA-G, Monteyer, E Dépôt Art. 16 N8, Letter 23rd August, 1854.
152.
Ibid., Letter, 2nd Sept, 1854.
153.
Ibid., O Art. 14098, Letter dated ‘18 9^bre 1853’ and addressed to ‘Monsieur Le Sous Préfet’; ibid., Letter to ‘Au Préfet … Briançon, le 2 9^bre; ibid.
154.
Ibid., O Art. 14098, Commune de Névache … Délibération Du Conseil Municipale… sur l’Admninistration des Pâturages Communaux’, 1853.
155.
I-G, Lavaldens, 4E443/N_4, ‘Administration des Eaux et Forêts’, Letter to maire, 1902.
156.
HA-G, La Cluse en Dévoluy, 3 E Art. 2987, ‘Commune de La Cluse en Dévoluy la jousissance de pâturages, 1874’.
157.
Ibid., Gap, La Cluse en Dévoluy, 3 E 2987, ‘Alivrement année 1910’. As.
158.
Ibid., Gap, Series O 14091, ‘Rôle des bestiaux et afffouage 1857’.
159.
Ibid., Gap, Series O Art. 14091, ‘Etat Comparatif des bêtes ovines—portées aux roles de paturage des années 1859, 1863 et 1883’.

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Robert Dodgshon

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Dodgshon, R. (2019). The Alpage of the Western Alps, 1500–1914: Europe’s Highest Cultural Landscape. In: Farming Communities in the Western Alps, 1500–1914. Historical Geography and Geosciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16361-7_6

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