Stay at Home: The Movement Certificate Is Not From Today

Between lockdown, curfew, the movement certificate is not from today... A look back at an archive from 1720.

©️Gallica - BnF

On March 17, 2020, and then on October 28, following the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the Government required the French to respect a lockdown period, during which a derogatory movement certificate was mandatory for any movement, even on foot. 

But this derogatory movement certificate is not from today. 

Indeed, a month later, historian Jérémie Ferrer-Bartomeu shared on Twitter an image of a Derogatory Exit Certificate dated 1720. 300 years later, common characteristics bring this archive close to our modern certificates. 

The derogatory certificate dated November 4, 1720 authorized a certain Alexandre Coulomb to join the town of Blauzac from his place of residence in Remoulins in the Gard. Although he only had a small twenty kilometers to travel, it was important for this man to provide proof that there was no 'suspicion of contagious disease' against him. A mandatory mention while a terrible bubonic plague epidemic heavily affected Provence. 

This plague epidemic began in May 1720 on the port of Marseille. It would cause over 100,000 deaths. At that time, medicine was not able to stop such a contagious phenomenon. The only way to limit its impact was to prohibit movements, as the lockdown of the city of Marseille seemed complicated. 

We read on this certificate: 

We, Consuls of the Place of Remoulin, certify to all concerned that Alexandre Coulomb, consul, resident of this place, aged twenty-eight, of medium height, with chestnut hair, leaves this place where there is no suspicion of Contagious Disease to go to Blozac (Blauzac, Gard). We pray all those who are to pray to give him free, safe passage. In proof of which, we have granted him this certificate to serve as he sees fit. At Remoulin, the 4th day of November, seventeen hundred twenty. Fabre, Judge-Consul. 

Jérémie Ferrer-Bartomeu reported to Le Figaro that 'the official nature of this document, printed and then completed by hand, shows that the situation is serious.' He adds that 'at that time, even outside epidemics, movements were limited. The world was extremely compartmentalized: one did not enter a city as one does today. One was wary of strangers, and during an epidemic, these deeply ingrained reflexes were redoubled.' 

Alexandre Coulomb certainly did not have the choice to move. The historian suggests that he may have gone as far as Blazac to request supplies or to discuss subsistence. 

In 2020, one risked a fine of 135€ if the derogatory movement certificate was not filled out, while in 1720, one risked being shot or hanged. A much less clement penalty in the face of the more serious risk of infecting others and advancing the disease.