#anne-marthe dubut

[subiysu-chan]

Anne-Marthe Dubut, character sheet

Date of birth: around 1682

Motivations: To keep the office of executor of Paris within the Sanson family and to preserve the legacy of Charles Sanson II, her first husband.

Belief: In addition to being a practicing Catholic, Anne-Marthe Dubut deeply believed that the office of executor of Paris was the right and divine duty of the Sanson family. A priesthood and a family creed.

History:

Anne-Marthe Dubut is the daughter of a cooper, Pierre Dubut, and the youngest of the family. The Dubut family lived in honest poverty until, by unfortunate chance, Pierre Antoine Dubut, Marthe's brother, became assistant executor, then executor in Melun. After the death of Pierre Dubut, life became hell for Jeanne-Renée (the older sister) and Anne-Marthe. Finding it difficult to find work, and forced to move to the most disreputable neighborhoods, the two sisters deprived themselves of food to delay as long as possible the moment when they would be forced to prostitute themselves to survive. They also had to sell their hair.

It was by a happy coincidence that Jeanne Renée found the path of the old executioner Charles Sanson. They ended up loving each other without passion, and married. Anne-Marthe was invited to live with them. There, she met the son, also named Charles, who fell in love with her. Anne-Marthe ended up returning his affections, and the two became husband and wife in 1707. Three children crowned the happy union: Anne-Renée, Charles-Jean-Baptiste and Nicolas-Charles-Gabriel. The couple took some time before having children, since Anne-Marthe had to recover from malnutrition and the couple considered it more responsible that she learn the customs of her new environment before becoming a mother, and finally, they both wanted to enjoy a little the life of a rich couple without children.

This time of happiness ended in 1726, with the death of Charles Sanson II. Since then, Anne-Marthe devoted her existence to ensuring that the letters of provision of her eldest son were respected, then to keep the position in the family.

Personality: Anne-Marthe is someone very determined and proud. Also, she is a more than loving mother, capable of many sacrifices. She is also an opportunistic and very intelligent woman, using mainly cunning to achieve her ends. However, she does not tolerate any resistance from her children to her dynastic ambitions, and the slightest disbelief in the "religion of the scaffold", and is capable of quite strong violence. She is ready to do anything to keep the office of executioner of Paris within the Sanson family.

Physical appearance: Anne-Marthe is a woman of average height with beautiful hard features and steely blue eyes. Since the death of her husband, she almost never takes off her mourning clothes.

[moonlitattic]

Attempted to challenge myself with drawing some panels of Innocent in Disney style

[cravingmoremangacaps]

[subiysu-chan]

What do you think of Anne-Marthe? Nicolas and Jean-Baptiste's mother? Is she historically accurate? If not, what was she like for real in history?

Now, I think in the manga, Anne-Marthe is to Innocent what Umbridge is to Harry Potter. Oh, I do hate that vile intrigant.

The real Anne-Marthe, while she probably did use stringent CP because it was normal at her time, with some historical record mentioning martinet sessions of 60 lashes in some schools. From what I could get, she was a woman who unexpectidly ended up near the top of the executioner hiearchy, like the place, and fought to stay there. Also, in a way, she was a mother trying to provide a future for her children, and her daughter's marriage doesn't even seem like an arranged one. Sure, in a social setting and way that was very morbid. Also, many people were dependant on the Sanson being executioners. Like, in what world would you risk for you and your children to fall into destitution, and for your employees to go to a "charity" with conditions barely better than a concentration camp ? Becayse that was the context of the XVIIIth century, that was the alternative. Plus, if you are marginalized, might as well be well-payed for it. Also, she was most likely a victim of abuse in her second marriage...So yeah, the more I learn about Anne-Marthe, the more I sympathize with her.

[subiysu-chan]

Double Trouble, Punishment and Comfort (Part 1)

It was just one of those days...where young lads and lasses just were too curious. 

Madeleine, at 15, like all girls her age, wants to experience new things, see a bit of the world. The glamour and glittering gold of high society was so hypnotizing. Also, she wanted to cast away her shell for one day. Just one day, not being the daughter of Death, and the most eligible girl of the “shame community”. Being one of many, being admired for something other than her dowry. To have a little bit of a blood rush...

Charles on the other hand...The dissection didn’t turn out great. At all. He could barely stop himself from vomiting. It wasn’t that long ago he was plain afraid of corpses. So dissection, it just wasn’t easy. 

The end of the day was not easy. Anne-Marthe was especially furious, dragging Charles to an empty room. She finally let go of him, and seemed more composed, not that it was reassuring. “Charles, remove your clothes now and lay on the table.” she ordered. 

Charles obeyed, knowing full well what awaited him. Half frightened, half relaxed, he laye on his stomach, as usual. He closed his eyes, just to avoid seeing the hellish little wheel. He knew it, he felt it, he did not need to see it. 

Then, the spikes came. It hurt, but it was bearable. If he grit his teeth or his arms, he could endure it without moving. Until the damage reached his lower spine. His sensitive spot. A pure reflex, his back arched quite prominently and he gave out a small kick to the table. “Sensitive spot. Now, get back into position. There’s the other half of your back, Charles.”

That thought alone was depressing. It hurt so much. But he knew better than to run. To hide. To beg. None of those things will work. 

Thankfully, his correction was soon over. Or so he thought. When she gave him the two final turns, Anne-Marthe ordered calmly : “Get up now. Your father will do the second part, in the chamber.”

Charles’s mouth went dry. He already took his correction. “Don’t look at me like that. This is not the first time this happens, doesn’t it ? Nor is it the second time.”

Obediently, the young boy went to the corridor, with just his shift and culottes. The dreaded corridor. Every step made his body tremble. 

Hesitantly, he opened the door. Much to his surprise, his older sister was already there, in nothing but her shift and petticoat, her hair simply braided.

Madeleine swallowed hard. He didn’t blame her. “Just out of curiosity, you are in trouble for what, again ? she asked

-Hum...Trouble with dissection. And you...

-You see, I tried to rejoin the little celebration next door. With the Chartois family and the procureur. It looked pretty open, and plain pretty too, so.” she said. 

Charles widened his eyes in concern. “Did something happen there ? he asked

-Nothing. I think someone got suspicious of who I was, so I ran away before they could figure anything out. Anyways, it was pretty fun until then.”

The younger sibling chuckled. “It was rather dumb of you. Stiff, it shouldn’t warren punishment, and it’s a bit sad the rule was put up in the first place.”

Soon, the third head of the Sanson house arrived. 

[subiysu-chan]

Anne-Marthe Dubut, fiche de personnage

Date de naisance: vers 1682

Motivations : Garder l'office d'exécuteur de Paris au sein de la famille Sanson et préserver l'héritage de Charles Sanson II, son premier mari.

Croyance: En plus d'être catholique pratiquante, Anne-Marthe Dubut croit profondément que l'office d'exécuteur de Paris est le droit et le devoir divin de la famille Sanson. Un sacerdoce et un crédo familiale.

Histoire :

Anne-Marthe Dubut est fille d'un tonnelier, Pierre Dubut, et cadette de la famille. La famille Dubut vivait dans une pauvreté honnête jusqu'à ce que par malheureux hasard, Pierre Antoine Dubut, frère de Marthe, devint aide-exécuteur, puis exécuteur à Melun. Après la mort de Pierre Dubut, la vie devint infernale pour Jeanne-Renée (la soeur ainée) et Anne-Marthe. Ne trouvant que difficilement du travail, et obligées de déménager dans les quartiers les plus mal famés, les deux soeurs se privaient de nourriture pour retarder le plus possible le moment où elle serait obligées de se prostituer pour survivre. Elle durent également vendre leurs cheveux.

C'est par un heureux hasard que Jeanne Renée trouva la route du vieil exécuteur Charles Sanson. Ils finirent par s'aimer sans passion, et se marièrent. Anne-Marthe fut invitée à vivre avec eux. Là, elle fit connaissance du fils, prénommé lui aussi Charles, qui s'épris d'elle. Anne-Marthe fini par lui rendre ses affections, et les deux devinrent maris et femme en 1707. Trois enfants vinrent couronner l'heureuse union: Anne-Renée, Charles-Jean-Baptiste et Nicolas-Charles-Gabriel. Le couple prit un certain temps avant d'avoir des enfants, puisqu'Anne-Marthe devait récupérer de la sous-nutrition et le couple jugea plus responsable qu'elle apprennent les moeurs de son nouveau milieux avant de devenir mère, et enfin, ils souhaitaient tout deux profiter un peu de la vie d'un riche couple sans enfants.

Ce temps de bonheur se termina en 1726, à la mort de Charles Sanson II. Depuis, Anne-Marthe consacra son existance à ce que les lettres de provisions de son fils ainé soient respectées, puis de garder le poste dans la famille.

Personalité : Anne-Marthe est quelqu'un de très déterminé et de fier. Également, elle est une mère plus qu'aimante, capable de beaucoup de sacrifices. C'est aussi une femme opportuniste et très intelligente, usant principalement de la ruse pour parvenir à ses fins. Elle ne tolère cependant aucune résistance de la part de ses enfants à ses ambitions dynastiques, et la moindre incrédulité face à la "religion de l'échaffaud", et est capable d'une assez forte violence. Elle est prête à tout pour garder l'office d'exécuteur de Paris au sein de la famille Sanson.

Apparence physique : Anne-Marthe est une femme de taille moyenne aux beaux traits durs et aux yeux d'un bleu d'aciers. Depuis la mort de son mari, elle ne quitte presque jamais l'habit de deuil.

[subiysu-chan]

Anne-Marthe, through a traditional mindset

So yes...We will try to analyze Anne-Marthe as part of this manga. We will analyze the social setting and her skill set to really get to know why is like that...

Social setting:

-Now, the overall society she lives in is extremely patriarchal. 

-The Sanson family, as presented from book 1-4, it’s more complicated. She is the one making the important decisions, rather than Jean-Baptiste. 

-The Sanson family are outcasts, but wealthy outcasts. Their position at the top of the executioner cast makes their position highly enviable for other executioners. 

-Quite an unequal, pre-industrial society. 

Now, her skill set:

-Getting rid of rivals, big time

-Brainwashing, men especially. 

-Manipulating through the shadows. 

With all of these factors in mind, it is no wonder why she wants the status quo. The Sanson having a huge target on their backs are in fact what allows her to stay in power. She is the de-facto matriarch...Now, the reason why she is because the social position makes her particular skill set invaluable, and there fore they submit to her authority. 

[subiysu-chan]

What are your insights on Nicolas Charles Gabriel I and Nicolas Charles Gabriel II?

I've already talked to you about Nicolas Charles Gabriel Sanson II, the hard-core alcoholic who was a torturer for a stint.

Nicolas-Charles-Gabriel Sanson, first of the name, was the son of Charles Sanson II and of Anne-Marthe Dubut. He was born in arond 1721 and died in 1794, around the age of 73, after having buried his son.

He became executioner of Reims in 1745, around the age of 24, right after marriying Martine Hébert. It was in all likelyhood a mariage of politics, since it allowed him to conclude an agreement with her brother Louis Hébert, that should one of them die first, the other would get the position of executioner of Reims. Of his mariage, he would have three children, two of whom survived: Marguerite Louise Julie and Jean-Louis. Louis Hébert appearently didn't live too long after the deal was over. He was responsable in 1757 for the execution of Damien, since Jean-Baptiste called him in for urgent help. He became a widower in 1765. He retired around 1770, leaving his son on the job and taking a somewhat well-deserved retirement. He was later kind of supportive of the Revolution (with how gruesome Damien's execution was...I understand he asked his previous letters of provisions to be burned to ash when he no longer needed them).

[subiysu-chan]

Anne-Marthe Dubut, rewright

Anne-Marthe, the powerful matriarch. From what we know of her as a person, she was eventually forced to flee her husband, Jean-Baptiste Barré, with the family of her daughter-in-law. The Mémoires portray her as cruel and somewhat mad, but also a capable leader. We also know she was from a family of coopers, who turned to the profession of executioner for unknown reasons.

So, many fictional exemples portray her as a tyrant...Which, we know that executioner families had to deal with high levels of rivalry from other executioner families. The Mémoires and also more historical sources such as "Le métier de bourreau" by Jacques Delarue does make an emphasis on that type of social circle. Also, the theories proposed in the book "Torture and democracy" also push in that direction.

Like, her son is forced to work professionally with the guy who used to mistreat her. Great...For her.

So, when Charles was fourteen, we would know this grandmother who gets the authority from her ability to intrigue. So, she decides to kind of insure her grandson is raised as a typical "executioner's child" with the values of his cast, and loads of affection, and agrees for him to be in boarding school because...The family needs an intrigant who understands the arguments the "outsiders" would be sensitive to, and she knows her time is close. So her motivation is: "To protect this family, I need to teach my grandson to be an intrigant before I die." However, the second he shows interiorisation of the concepts of honor that normal or high-status people believed in the XVIIIth century, she immediately flips, and acts cold and threatening.

Also, she's a master manipulator herself, and basically sets rules so Charles is as brainwashed as possible, because for her own survival, she needs to insure the men in her life believe this "executions is justice, so our mission is holy" kind of drivel. She in all honesty believes that she was chosen by God to form the next generation of Sanson executioners, and passes on that stuff to her son and grandson.

Like, she's a family woman, but a family woman with plenty of edge. Also, some of her tactics would be kind of undermining non-religious authority of outsiders. Such as:

Charles-Henri got a correction from school, because it would make the procuror shut up or from Barré (whom she dislikes personally): Grand-mère, can I please have a cushion for a the trip...I really can't sit.

Anne-Marthe: Of course you can, sweetie. Here take this one I made.

Same situation, but this time, Charles-Henri got a correction from his dad...

Charles-Henri: Grand-mère, can I please have a cushion for the trip, I really can't sit.

Anne-Marthe: Well, that'll help remember to not fight with your younger brothers. Give me your hand, you're going to have five more for even asking.

[subiysu-chan]

Who were Anne-Marthe's side of her family? What are their occupations/status?

Commoners, until Pierre Dubut decided to become an executioner.

[subiysu-chan]

According to this text...Anne-Marthe Dubut lived to 84 years old (date 1766)

Which means she was born around 1682...So, it would mean she was around 24 at her first marriage, and around 50 during her second one. And her second husband, Jean-Baptiste Barré, was around 36 the day of his wedding.

[subiysu-chan]

About Anne-Marthe Dubut

She’s the third best-written character of the series...And boy, she is both an allie and an antagonist at the same time, which might be the hardest character type to do. Most of the times, the allies of the protagonist would either redeemed enemies, are the main protagonist or are traitors, but are allied to the protagonist BECAUSE, not in spite of, being morally abhorrant. 

Now such a character type isn’t knew, and in the Arthurian cycles, Morgan and Morgause play these roles. Morgan le Fay main motivations are her incestuous affections for King Arthur, and Morgause wants to avenge her mother using Mordred as a weapon in her feud. Like them, Anne-Marthe isn’t a femme fatale, since her power doesn’t come from her sexuality. Like the femme fatale, she is a vile intrigant, but she uses her role as mother. 

My main critique of this character is that...There should have been more obstacles to the Sanson family preserving it’s status quo. We do get some in the third volume, with the magistrates being sensible enough to not want to nominate a 7 YEAR OLD BOY executioner, and the other executioners from other dynasties and we even meet a member of a rivaling dynasty in Subyss (him being dumb is realistic, but plot-wise...it’s a bad decision). The legal age to be an executioner was 20, which means Charles was also underaged.  

Otherwise, Anne-Marthe is an amazing character who drives the plot forward, her actions are sensible...Most of the time. She’s great, and again, we should have seen a bit more of her. 

Also, her legacy is still relevant in Innocent Rouge. When this alternate version of Charlotte Corday meets Marie-Josephe, our punk executioner isn’t thrilled at the idea of matriarchy...Probably, because she lived in one. Yes, despite being a misogynists, Anne-Marthe is a matriarch, and her modus operandi is matriarchal, which is to raise violent sons, and then exploiting their violence for her own benefit. That is how typically how matriarcal societies work, and in a sense, patriarchy was a social advancement. Matriarcal societies tended to be very war-like and were rarely peaceful. Just like the typical matriarch, she isn’t kind to other females, seeing them as potential rivals to her alpha status. That is probably why she reacts to violently when Marie-Josephe defied her...Because, again, she is a tyrant who doesn’t take any kind of defiance for an answer. It doesn’t really matter if in this case, Marie-Josèphe actually saved the family from disgrace. That is why I think Anne-Marthe might have anti-social personality disorder.