Voltaire - Histoire du parlement de Paris - 1769

A thrilling edition of this historical and political work in which the Enlightenment philosopher traces the evolution of the kingdom of France's most important court of justice from its medieval origins to its era, while analyzing its role in the complex relations between the monarchy, justice, the nobility, and French society -

Faithful to his historical method based on critical examination of facts and rejection of legendary narratives, Voltaire aims to show how the Parlement de Paris, initially a simple emanation of royal authority charged with delivering justice in the name of the sovereign, gradually transformed into a powerful institution exercising considerable influence over the kingdom’s public affairs -

The author describes the circumstances of its formation under the early Capetians, its internal organization, the distribution of its chambers, the functions of its magistrates and the evolution of its judicial powers through the centuries -

He examines the great conflicts that opposed the Parlement to the kings of France, notably during dynastic crises, civil wars, religious quarrels and administrative reforms, showing how this institution sometimes sought to defend the kingdom’s fundamental laws while pursuing its own corporative interests -

Voltaire - Histoire du parlement de Paris - 1769 -
pp. (4) 364.

Good binding condition, the work in its full original brown morocco, wear from use, some minor defects on covers and spine, small wear on headcaps, corners and edges, red cut, spine with raised bands ornamented, gilded title on morocco piece, cold-stamped borders framing the covers -

Good interior condition, light browning and small pale damp-stains, nice vignette on the title page, clean text, endpapers illustrated in good condition, modern ex-libris, a pleasant copy -

Delivery service assured within a few days -