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Parlement of Aix-en-Provence

Territories assigned to the Parlements and Sovereign Councils of the Kingdom of France in 1789

The Parlement of Aix-en-Provence was the provincial parlement of Provence from 1501 to 1790. It was headquartered in Aix-en-Provence, which served as the de facto capital of Provence.

History

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Provence was incorporated into the Kingdom of France in 1481 after the last Count of Provence left the region to Louis XI.[1] Two decades later, in 1501, King Louis XII of France (1462–1515) established the Parlement of Provence in Aix-en-Provence.[1][2][3] By 1535, the powers of the seneschal of Provence were given to the Parlement of Aix.[3] It was modeled after the Parlement of Paris.[1] It set administrative and regulatory guidelines for Provence.[1][3] It was also in charge of police and healthcare, as well as the oversight of boarding houses, prostitution, religious freedom, etc.[1][3] At times, the Parlement was closer to the King of France or the Pope, depending on its wishes.[3] For example, in 1590, when it refused to follow Henry IV of France (1553–1610), the King established another parlement in Pertuis.[4]

It comprised first presidents, présidents à mortier, advisors, general advocates, advocates for the poor, etc. By 1604, it became legal to purchase a hereditary position and pass it on to one's male heirs.[1] By 1789, only 6% were commoners, the rest of which were aristocrats.[1] A third were only recently ennobled, even though by 1769 it became practically impossible to join the Parlement if one failed to have four aristocratic ancestors.[1]

It was dismantled in September 1790, during the French Revolution.[1][3][5]

First Presidents

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Président à mortier

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Counsellors

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Monique Cubells, Le Parlement de Provence, Cite du Livre
  2. ^ Noël Coulet, 'D'un parlement à l'autre (1415-1501)', in Le parlement de Provence : 1501-1790, Aix-en-Provence: Publications de l'Université de Provence, 2002, p. 19
  3. ^ a b c d e f Archives 13
  4. ^ Pierre Miquel, Les Guerres de religion, Paris: Club France Loisirs, 1980, p. 367
  5. ^ Charles de Ribbe, Pascalis - Étude sur la fin de la Constitution provençale, 1787-1790, Dentu, 1854, p. 241