List of illustrations; List of maps; List of tables; Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. Languedoc; 3. Clermont-de-Lodève; 4. Clermont during the seventeenth century; 5. Colbert, Languedoc, Saptes, Villenouvette; 6. Villenouvette succeeds; 7. Villenouvette and Clermont; 8. The first thirty years, 1695-1724; 9. The second thirty years, 1725-54; 10. A change in policy and its consequences, 1754-9; 11. The last thirty years, 1760-89, 'The Age of Iron': an explanation; 12. Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.