Early Modern (1450 CE - 1800 CE)
Moreau, "Principles of Monarchy" (1773)
Jacob–Nicolas Moreau wrote his "lessons of morality, politics and law" for the instruction of the Dauphin. Throughout the 200–page book, Moreau defends the power of the King to rule France without opposition.
Voltaire, "Internal Government" (1756)
François–Marie Arouet, who wrote under the name Voltaire, was both the best–known and most tireless advocate of the Enlightenment and also a close associate of several European kings and many French aristocrats.
Remonstrance of Court of Aides (1775)
The Court of Aides was a special chamber of the Parlement of Paris dealing with taxation. It, too, could issue "remonstrances" to protest against royal edicts that it opposed.
Remonstrances of Parlement of Paris against Turgot’s Six Edicts (1776)
In these remonstrances, the magistrates of the Parlement of Paris,recently restored to their position by Louis XVI after having been "exiled" from office by Louis XV in 1771, voice their opposition to reforms proposed by the finance minister, Anne–Robert–Jacques Turgot.
Edict Creating "Superior Councils" (23 February 1771)
This edict came at the end of the extended legal confrontation between the parlements and Louis XV.
Louis XV Asks the Parlements to Desist (1770)
The extended legal confrontation between the Parlement of Brittany and Louis XV lasted from 1765 to 1770 over the right of the central administration to govern directly in a province that had always had substantial autonomy.
The Duke de Croy Describes the "Session of the Scourging" (3 March 1766)
The twelve highest royal courts, known as Parlements, not only heard civil and criminal suits; they also had the responsibility of discussing and registering royal edicts before enactment.
Legislation and Public Police Powers (1753)
Louis–Adrien Le Paige was the leading theoretician of Parlementary claims against the crown in the 1750s.
Parlementary Remonstrance against the Third "Twentieth" Tax
Later in the 1750s, the Parlement turned its attention from religious controversy to royal fiscal policy.
Parlementary Remonstrance against Reforms of Royal Debts
In 1763, with the Seven Years’ War having gone badly for France and the treasury facing ever greater shortfalls, the crown issued a series of new edicts on fiscal matters, necessary in large measure to pay off the war debts, which would extend the "twentieth" surtax (originally levied in 1750); a