Role of the Parlements

Judicial bodies that influenced political decisions during the French Revolution.

The Parlements were sovereign courts of law in France that held significant judicial power, overseeing the application of royal edicts and laws. During the French Revolution, they became key players in the political dynamic, often resisting the king's authority and advocating for the rights of the nobility and the provinces. Their opposition to royal initiatives, most notably in the context of taxation and judicial reforms, reflected and contributed to the growing tensions between the monarchy and the Third Estate (common people). The Parlements played a controversial role in the revolutionary period, criticized for both their attempts to uphold the Ancien Régime (old regime) and their eventual conflicts with revolutionary ideals.

The Parlements played an instrumental role in pre-revolutionary France, primarily as judicial bodies. These courts, which numbered 13 by the time of the Revolution, were tasked with registering royal edicts before they became law. Composed mainly of bourgeoisie judges who had bought their positions, the Parlements wielded significant influence over legislative processes.

Beginning in the late 1780s, the Parlements became noteworthy for their opposition to various fiscal reforms proposed by King Louis XVI's ministers. France, burdened by debt from military expenditures (including involvement in the American War of Independence), faced a financial crisis. Proposals such as the imposition of new taxes on the privileged classes (nobility and clergy) required registration by the Parlements. However, the Parlements frequently refused to register these edicts, arguing that only the Estates-General had the authority to approve new taxes.

This consistent resistance by the Parlements led to significant political tension between the judiciary and the monarchy. The Parlements' refusals to register edicts invoked a series of political crises, contributing to the call for the Estates-General in 1789 (the first time it had been summoned since 1614). This convocation marked a step towards broad-based dissent against the monarchy.

Furthermore, the Parlements positioned themselves as defenders of traditional liberties and the rights of the French provinces. They often positioned their opposition on grounds of protecting the fundamental laws of the kingdom from arbitrary royal actions. This stance earned them a degree of public support, especially among the growing professional and commercial classes, who viewed the Parlements' resistance as a defense against despotism.

Despite initial popularity as resistors of royal absolutism, the Parlements' influence waned after the Revolution's onset. By September 1790, the National Constituent Assembly abolished the Parlements, replacing them with a more centralized judicial system. The shift was part of broader reforms aimed at dismantling the old regime's legal structures and creating a unified legal system across France.

Overall, the Parlements' role during the lead-up to the French Revolution underscores their significant judicial and political function. Their opposition to royal policies, while contributing to the Revolution's outbreak, also highlighted the complexities of pre-revolutionary governance in France.

Did you know?

The Parlements were not legislative bodies but rather royal courts, with the Parlement of Paris being the most prominent among them; they had significant influence over the judicial system and policymaking.
Parlements often resisted royal decrees through a process called 'remontrance,' which allowed them to express objections to the king's ordinances, thus gaining political power during the pre-revolutionary period.
Before the Revolution, the Parlements championed a legal theory called 'the liberties of the nation,' believing that their right to challenge the king supported the common people against tyranny.
The struggle between the monarchy and the Parlements became a major catalyst for revolutionary sentiment, as the Parlements' defiance of Louis XVI increasingly resonated with the public's desire for reform.
Despite being a remnant of the Ancien Régime, Parlements embraced Enlightenment ideals; some members, known as 'philosophes,' advocated for civil liberties and legal reform, contributing to revolutionary thought.