Abraham Mazel

Abraham Mazel (1677 - 1710), prophet and combatant, is at the same time the first and the last of the Camisard S.

The beginning of the war of Camisards

Wire of David Mazel, wool comber of wool (1648 - 1719) and of Jeanne Daudé (1650 - 1680), it was born on September 5th 1677 in Falguières close to Saint-Jean-of-Gard or Saint-Jean-of-Gardonnenque.

In October 1701, Abraham Mazel is " visité" “of the spirit of prophecy” which inspires to him to deliver brothers captive of the abbot of Chayla, archpriest of the the Cevennes and persecutor of the Protestants. It is a call to the " war sainte" against the persecutors.

July 24th 1702, Abraham Mazel, with Pierre Séguier, known as " Séguier" spirit; , and some others, leads a forwarding against the abbot of Chayla which held captive of young people inspired, to the Pont of Montvert. The murder of the abbot starts the war: to the royal troops, called to stop the seditious ones, small groups of armed insurrectionists are opposed (" Camisards "), under the direction of young prophets, Riding Jean (1681-1740), Pierre Laporte known as Roland (1675-1704; traversing the the Cevennes and the surrounding plain, they burn churches, by singing psalms.

The permanent combat

In 1704, whereas Riding, after a serious failure, negotiates peace with the chief of the royal troops, the Maréchal of Villars, others continue the combat, of which Abraham Mazel. In January 1705, it is stopped and with the safe life thanks to the intervention of the priest of Saint Martin de Corconac that Mazel had saved before.

July 24th 1705, it escapes from the Tour of Constancy (Gard) with 76 other prisoners.

Having the insurance to be led abroad, it goes, joined his friend Elie Marion and goes with his companions until Geneva, then with Lausanne where it is pensioned as officer in the “regiment camisard”. In November 1705, it is implied in the business of the attempt at unloading in Savoy of the camisards and the Savoyard partisans. It takes refuge in England where it takes part in the group of the “Cevennes prophets”. Its inspiration says to him to set out again in the Cevennes, which it does.

In March 1709 with Daniel Guy says “Billiards” and Antoine Dupont, it passes in Vivarais and creates a troop of young people directed by Jean Justet de Vals.

June 22nd, the camisards attack the Swiss regiments of Courten which are withdrawn without fighting. July 8th, they are beaten in Leyrisse; Justet, and perhaps Dupont, are killed. The remains of the troop of Mazel are dispersed with Make-Réal, close to Saint Jean Chambre (Ardèche). Guy Billard is killed close to Vors, Mazel still manages to flee. He takes refuge in the Cevennes, meets Claris, Corteiz and others prédicants still in activity and prepares a new armed rising.

October 14th 1710 it is taken and cut down with the Farmhouse of Knife close to Uzès. A plate commemorates this event with the temple of Uzès, old convent of Cordeliers acquired in 1791 by reformed.

External bond

Abraham Mazel virtual Museum of French Protestantism.

http://www.abrahammazel.eu Association Abraham Mazel

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