Cagots in the History of Western Europe: A Brand of Isolation Cagots (French cagots, also known as agotes, caqueux, gésitains in different regions) represent one of the most mysterious and least studied marginalized groups in the history of Western Europe. For nearly a millennium, from the 10th to the 19th century, they existed in isolation in the southwest of France (Gascony, Bearn, Guyenne), northern Spain (Navarre, Aragon), and partially in Switzerland. Their phenomenon is unique: unlike Jews or Roma, cagots were ethnically, linguistically, and religiously indistinguishable from the surrounding population, yet they were subjected to harsh and systematic segregation based on a social stigma whose origin was even forgotten by the persecutors themselves. External Restrictions and 'Ritual Impurity' The discrimination against cagots was ritualistic and everyday in nature and was enshrined in local laws (fors) and church decrees. They were forced to live in separate quarters on the outskirts of villages, often across a river or in swampy areas. They were forbidden: To marry non-cagots under the threat of death. To touch food at the market without a special stick-pointer. To walk barefoot on the pavement (to not 'defile' the land). To engage in agriculture related to the land due to the fear of 'poisoning' it. They were allowed only professions indirectly related to 'impurity' or death, which brought them closer to the Japanese caste of burakumin: carpentry and cooperage (work with wood, which is already 'dead'), as well as professions de sang — roofing (due to the use of animal skin) and grave diggers. An interesting fact: in many churches, there are still separate, very low entrances for cagots (the so-called porte des cagots), through which they entered the standing area at the back wall or on separate, fenced benches. The chalice for holy water was given to them on a long shovel, and they received communion separately. Hypotheses of Origin: From Lepers to ... Read more