The inscription in the prison forge at Brouage
Brouage is a port fortress situated on a channel silted up by Protestants during the Wars of Religion. This fortress is currently located within the commune of Hiers-Brouage.
Here is what a Protestant prisoner wrote on the wall of the prison at Brouage:
Preamble absent from the image:
« Whoever you are who takes the trouble to read this writing, I pray to God that you may be His creature by His grace, as you are by nature. »
Profession of faith:
« M. Rivet prissonniere a cauze que je porte tesmougnanges au p(è)re
parole de Iesus Christ mon seul sauveur et redempteur et unique mediateur en toute sa verité
pour ne vouloir pas ni ne pouvoir
ni ne doive connaistre en leglize de
mon Seigneur IesusChrist dautre chef
que Luy ni d autre advocat ni dautre mediateur
ni d autre intresceusceur dedan le ciel
que mon bon Pasteur
le Fils unique de Dieu
qui me guide, qui me conduits et me sauve et me gardera a
jamais
si quelcun maime il mette …
(ga)ra ma parole. Mon Père
demourance SRSM P. »
M.Rivet, prisoner because I testify to the Father
in word that Jesus Christ is my only saviour et redeemer et unique mediator
in all truth
so as not to need or want
or know another than
my Lord Jesus Christ than him
nor another advocate or mediator
nor another intercessor in the heavens
than my good shepherd
the unique Son of God
who guides me and leads me and saves me et keeps me for
ever
if anyone loves me he will put
? in my word. My Father
lives
Resist
« resist », inscription at the Tower of Constance
« resist », inscription at the Tower of Constance
At the Tower of Constance (Aigues-Mortes), the inscription « resist », engraved on the rim of the prison well, is attributed, without any real certainty, to Marie Durand.
Imprisoned at the age of 19, in 1730, Marie Durand was not released until 1768, after thirty-eight years in captivity.
