Ordonnance du roy Louis XIII., roy de France & de Navarre: sur les plaints & doleances faites par les deputez des estats de son royaume, convoquez & assemblez en la ville de Paris en l’annee 1614. Paris: par J. Bergeon, 1629.
Call Number: SpC. 944.032 F815o1629
The head of the Marillac family, (and the uncle to and guardian of Louise de Marillac,) was the famous Michel de Marillac (1560-1632). Besides being a distinguished devot and a leader in the early stages of the reform of the French Church, Marillac was also a powerful political and legal figure in the kingdom.
Holding a variety of posts under Henry IV and Louis XIII, Marillac became the Garde des Sceaux (Keeper of the Seals) in 1626. In this position Marillac’s legal expertise was put to good use in drafting the famous Code Michau of 1629, the largest codification of French law yet undertaken. This codification was part of the Bourbon monarchy’s attempts to increase royal legal power amid the confusing welter of competing local and traditional law codes. Despite the fierce opposition of the Parlement of Paris the code was put into effect on 15 January 1629 en lit de justice by Louis XIII.
Marillac later would become part of the party of the Queen Mother Marie de Medici, in a fierce power struggle with Cardinal Richelieu. On the famous “Day of the Dupes” in 11-12 November 1630, in a stunning reversal Louis XIII backed his prime minister. Marie de Medici was sent into exile from France never to return. Michel de Marillac lost his position and was imprisoned at the Chateau de Chateaudun where he died on 7 August 1632. His half-brother Marchal Louis de Marillac was executed at the Place de Grave in Paris on 10 May 1632 as punishment for his role in the opposition to Richelieu.
At the time Vincent de Paul consoled Louise de Marillac for what had befallen her family.
The above volume is a copy of the 1629 Code Michau.
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St. Vincent’s Reading List is recurring blog series exploring texts known to have been read and recommended by St. Vincent de Paul, those which can be presumed to have been read by him, and important works published during his lifetime (1581-1660). All materials discussed are held by DePaul’s Special Collections and Archives. The entire series may be viewed here.