Exam 10: The High Middle Ages: Vitality and Renewal

Correct Answer:

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Parlement (with an 'e', not to be confused with the English 'parliament') refers to a judicial body in the history of France, particularly during the Ancien Régime, before the French Revolution.

Who?
The members of the parlements were mostly nobles and high-ranking magistrates who served as the sovereign courts of justice and had the authority to register or refuse royal edicts.

What?
Parlements were regional judicial bodies that also had legislative functions, as they had the power to formally register royal edicts and laws before they could be enforced. The most famous of these was the Parlement of Paris, which was the preeminent court and had the power to challenge the king's authority by refusing to register laws that they deemed contrary to the interests of the state or the principles of justice.

Where?
Parlements were located in various regions of France, with the Parlement of Paris being the most significant. Other notable parlements were in cities such as Toulouse, Bordeaux, Dijon, and Grenoble.

When?
The system of parlements existed from the Middle Ages until their abolition in 1790 during the French Revolution. The Parlement of Paris, for example, was established in the 13th century and grew in influence over the centuries.

Why Important?
Parlements played a crucial role in the French judicial system and were important for several reasons:

1. Checks and Balances: They acted as a counterbalance to the absolute power of the monarchy, particularly through their right to remonstrate against the king's edicts, which could delay and sometimes prevent the implementation of royal decrees.

2. Law Interpretation: Parlements were responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring its uniform application across the kingdom, which contributed to the development of the French legal system.

3. Political Influence: The Parlement of Paris, in particular, was a center of political power and could be a rallying point for opposition to the monarchy, as seen in the events leading up to the French Revolution.

4. Social Status: Membership in a parlement was a mark of high social status and often conferred nobility, making it a significant institution for the social elite.

In summary, the parlements were key institutions in pre-revolutionary France, serving as the highest courts of law and playing a significant role in the political and social landscape of the time. Their ability to challenge the king's authority made them an important part of the system of governance and a precursor to modern notions of checks and balances in government.