The Cagots, a pariah of the Pyrenees - considered in the Middle Ages as representatives...

The Cagots, a pariah of the Pyrenees - considered in the Middle Ages as representatives of a cursed race and as pestiferes, they were nevertheless recognized as skillful craftsmen in the iron and wood industries, especially in the carpings - they were forbidden to mix with the population and, like the lepers, had to point out their approach by the sound of crecelles or tap - at the entrance of the churches were places of benitiers that were reserved for them, adapted to their small size, like this, from the 12th century, in St Savin (Saint Savin, Saint-Savin, Hautes Pyrenees) - photography beginning 20th century -