HiSCoD

Description (langue originale) : Depuis 1616, le fermier prétent percevoir à Sisteron la traite foraine (taxe royale frappant les marchandises transportées à Marseille par la route du Dauphiné). Cette taxe s'élève à 18 sols par charge dont 15 sols pour la domaniale et 3 sols pour la foraine. La Chambre des Comptes d'Aix-en-Provence confirme l'instauration de cette taxe. En juillet 1617, le conseiller de la Chambre des comptes, François d'Alby de Bresc, est chargé de se rendre à Sisteron pour veiller à l'établissement du bureau du fermier dans la ville. Le 14 juillet, la foule entoure l'auberge d'Alby de Bresc, avant de l'enlever puis de le jeter à terre et de le battre à coups de pierre et de bâtons. Meurtri, il est laissé pour mort sur un tas de de fumier. Il décède trois jours plus tard des suites de ses blessures.

Description (anglais) : In summer 1617, François Alby de Bresc, a judge from the Chambre des Comptes of Aix, arrived in Sisteron to enforce court orders about the imposition of a new excise tax. After his arrival, ‘Men, women and children left their work in the fields and massed outside the Saunerie Gate. They followed the man, throwing rocks, uttering threats and letting out insulting catcalls. When de Bresc and his party had arrived at the inn where they were to stay, they were besieged by a great number of people. Their horses were removed from the stable. The doors, walls and floors of the building were smashed with hatchets and hammers. About 9 p.m. just after the gentleman had escaped through a breach in the wall with the aid of the consuls, he was seized by the people, thrown on the ground, beaten with blows from rocks and clubs, dragged by his feet through the streets, had his clothes torn and ruined and his money stolen. Then, virtually assassinated, he was left for dead in a heap of dung’ (translated by W. Beik).