French Parliaments in the ancient regime France: historiographical issues and practical case studies

For a long time, the French Parliaments have only been regarded by historiography as a political actor, and their assessment tended to be rather critical. A renewal occurred in the sixties, with a new approach that focuses on the social aspects. Nevertheless, a chronological imbalance still remains. Even though the parliaments of the 18th century have been studied extensively, the same is not true of the provincial courts under the reign of Louis XIV. Only the episode of the ‘Fronde’ and the institution of the parliament of Paris drew the attention of Anglo-Saxon historians. Furthermore, it was commonly believed that Louis XIV reduced the parliaments to obedience and brought them under his rule. The study of the parliament of Bordeaux as well as of its members, which encompasses the period from the beginning of the regency of Anne of Austria to the end of the regency of Philippe of Orléans, allows us to follow the growth of the absolute rule of Louis XIV via the concrete example of parliamentary life. Was parliament a victim of the king’s political ambitions or was the interaction between the kingdom and province of a more subtle nature? In the article we shall present the highlights of our research: chronology, methodology, issues, sources, approaches…

For a long time, the French Parliaments have only been regarded by historiography as a political actor, and their assessment tended to be rather critical. A renewal occurred in the sixties, with a new approach that focuses on the social aspects. Nevertheless, a chronological imbalance still remains. Even though the parliaments of the 18th century have been studied extensively, the same is not true of the provincial courts under the reign of Louis XIV. Only the episode of the ‘Fronde’ and the institution of the parliament of Paris drew the attention of Anglo-Saxon historians. Furthermore, it was commonly believed that Louis XIV reduced the parliaments to obedience and brought them under his rule. The study of the parliament of Bordeaux as well as of its members, which encompasses the period from the beginning of the regency of Anne of Austria to the end of the regency of Philippe of Orléans, allows us to follow the growth of the absolute rule of Louis XIV via the concrete example of parliamentary life. Was parliament a victim of the king’s political ambitions or was the interaction between the kingdom and province of a more subtle nature? In the article we shall present the highlights of our research: chronology, methodology, issues, sources, approaches…