FRANÇOIS I

£2,950 · Offered by Sokol Books

Rare second edition of this most important ordinance by Francois I, first published in 1540, known as the ‘l’Ordonnance d’Abbeville’ which is in effect the Dauphinoise version of the famous ‘Ordonnance Villers-Cotterêts’, one of the foundational sets of laws written on behalf of Francois I in 1539, and the oldest legislative text still in force in France today; its articles concerning the French language never having been repealed. The ‘Ordonnance Villers-Cotterêts’, with 192 articles, is now best known for being the founding act of the primacy and exclusivity of the French language, over Latin or regional dialects, in documents relating to public life in France. It was made to facilitate the proper understanding of administrative and judicial acts, but also to strengthen monarchical power, and required that all official documents be written “in the French mother tongue and not otherwise”. French thus became the official language of law and administration in place of Latin. In addition this ordinance reformed ecclesiastical jurisdiction, reduced certain prerogatives of regions and towns and made compulsory the keeping of registers of baptisms and burials by parish priests. This most important ordinance, entitled “Ordonnance du Roy sur le fait de justice” was written by the Chancellor, Guillaume Poyet, the celebrated lawyer and member of the King’s Privy Council. It has often been referred to as the ‘Guillemine’ or ‘Guilelmine’ in reference

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.