What happened to the Cagots in France? The Cagots were a marginalized group in medieval France, particularly in the regions of Gascony, Brittany, and Normandy. They faced discrimination and were often subjected to social exclusion, segregation, and persecution. The origins of the Cagots are not entirely clear, but they were likely a heterogeneous group consisting of individuals with various backgrounds, including those who were impoverished, physically disabled, or perceived as different in some way.
The discrimination against the Cagots was multifaceted, encompassing religious, social, and economic factors. They were often barred from participating in certain professions and were restricted from marrying outside their community. They were also subjected to various forms of humiliation and mistreatment, such as being forced to wear distinctive clothing or being denied entry into churches.
The reasons for the persecution of the Cagots are not fully understood, but theories include religious prejudice, fear of contagion (particularly during outbreaks of diseases such as leprosy), and economic competition. Over time, as societal attitudes evolved and feudal structures weakened, the persecution of the Cagots gradually declined. By the late Middle Ages and into the early modern period, the discrimination against them had largely faded away, although traces of stigma and prejudice persisted in some regions for centuries.
