Empire of fear : from monarchical commonwealth to French royal state, 1561-1651 / James B. Collins.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Collins, James B., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Communication in politics--France--History--16th century.

Communication in politics.

Communication in politics--France--History--17th century.

France--Politics and government--16th century.

France.

France--Politics and government--17th century.

Communication in politics--History.

Physical Description:

x, 355 pages ; 24 cm

Other Title:

From monarchical commonwealth to French royal state, 1561-1651

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2026.

Summary:

"While French political discourse in the late Middle Ages had been based on ancient Roman ideas that government existed for the common good (le bien public, or la chose publique, a French translation of the Latin res publica), these ideas began to evolve in the 1570s. Although references to the common good continued to be used right up to the French Revolution, they were gradually overtaken by a focus on the good of the State (le bien de l'État). James B. Collins demonstrates how this evolution in language existed at every social level from the peasant village up to the royal court. By analysing the language used in scores of local, regional and national lists of grievances presented to provincial estates and the Estates-General, Collins demonstrates how the growth was as much a bottom-up process as a top-down enforcement of royal power."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: Empire of fear: France, the birth of the Royal State, 1561-1651

The estates general

From commonwealth to state

Retail politics in Bailiwick and local assemblies

Civic government: town and country

Provincial estates: the life and death of a Norman commonwealth

Puissance absolue: popes and kings

The commonwealth in the shadows.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 318-340) and index.

Other Format:

ebook version :

ISBN:

9781107030091

1107030099

OCLC:

1519442234

Publisher Number:

CIPO000318160