Seigneurial system of New France

The Seigneurial System was a way of life in New France (what is now Canada). In the system, large pieces of land were divided into long strips, and each strip was given over to a special kind of farmer called a Seigneur. The Seigneur was responsible for looking after the land, making sure it was cultivated and farmed by the people who owned each strip. In exchange, the Seigneur also got a special payment from the people. This payment was called the Seigneurial Rent and it could be in money, farm animals or crops. The Seigneurial System was in place in New France until the 1800s when it was abolished by British law.