Page "Poitiers" Paragraph 19

The city government in Poitiers based its claims to legitimacy on the theory of government where the mayor and échevins held jurisdiction of the city's affairs in fief from the king: that is, they swore allegiance and promised support for him, and in return he granted them local authority.

This gave them the advantage of being able to claim that any townsperson who challenged their authority was being disloyal to the king.

Every year the mayor and the 24 échevins would swear an oath of allegiance " between the hands " of the king or his representative, usually the lieutenant général or the sénéchaussée.

For example, in 1567, when Maixent Poitevin was mayor, king Henri III came for a visit, and, although some townspeople grumbled about the licentious behaviour of his entourage, Henri smoothed things over with a warm speech acknowledging their allegiance and thanking them for it .< sup > 2 </ sup >