Vidame

Vidame (composed of vice and dominus, Latin in place and Lord ) is a rather rare French titles of nobility. In Germany, the appropriate designation Vitztum or Vitzthum.

The Vidame is originally the one who commands the armed forces of a bishop, and in whose name carries some feudal rights. The office was created in the 7th century, was not yet firmly established in the 9th century and often perceived by a chaplain during the Avoue ( Vogt ), sometimes replaced the Vidame, always was a layman. In the 10th century the Vidame was a title associated with certain fief, and thus was hereditary. This has not changed, as the tasks that were connected to the title, were no longer perceived, because the king and the bishops had agreed to divest the office of each content.

The title has been integrated in the usual noble title and considered the same as Vicomte.

One knows the office of the Vidame:

• In the diocese of Amiens: the Vidame d' Amiens had the area around Picquigny. The title is hereditary in the family of the Dukes of Luynes.
• In the diocese of Beauvais: the Vidame de Beauvais had the area around Gerberoy. In the 13th century it fell back to the bishop.
• In the diocese of Chartres: the Vidame de Chartres had the area around La Ferté- Arnault (also called La Ferté- Vidame ). The best-known title holder was Louis de Rouvroy, duc de Saint -Simon
• In the diocese of Geneva: the Vidame de Geneve canton of Geneva in Switzerland. The title is in the family of the Dukes of Candia ( Maison de Candie ).
• In the diocese of Laon: the title of Vidame de Laon was born in numerous families including Roye, La Rochefoucauld, Béthune and Gontaut
• In the diocese of Le Mans: the title of Vidame du Mans belonged to the family Angennes de Rambouillet
• In Normandy: the title of Vidame de Normandie was born into numerous families, including the Pavilly, Esneval and Dreux
• In the Archdiocese of Reims: the title of Vidame de Reims was hereditary in the house of Châtillon.
• In the diocese of Sarlat: Paul Antoine Jacques de Quélen de Stuer de Caussade (1706-1772), duc de La Vauguyon, prince de Carency, pair de France, was also called Vidame de Sarlat.

The title of Vidame was also a courtesy title. Thus, for example, the title of Vidame de Limoges borne by the du Mas de Paysac, marquis de PAYZAC end of the 18th century.

Places

• La Ferté- Vidame (Eure -et -Loir )
• Meslay- le- Vidame (Eure -et -Loir )
• Molliens- Vidame (since 1972 Molliens- Dreuil, Somme )

• Title of nobility