Originally published in 1968, this authoritative study analyses the Parlement as a law court and examines its political role and significance. From its beginning in the mid-13th Century until its fall during the 1789 Revolution, the Paris Parlement stood at the heart of government in France. Its primary function as the crown’s judicial authority grew out of the need for a royal court to dispense justice when the king could no longer do so personally. The book describes how the Parlement evolved sophisticated procedures and a complex organization of chambers, officers and personnel and examines the Parlement’s judicial and political growth, against the social backdrop of the Court and the Palais de Justice.

Looks at the king and his beliefs, domestic problems, and foreign policy.

Originally published in 1969, this volume provides a lucid analysis of French government and society over two centuries, from the late medieval period to the beginning of Louis XIV’s personal rule. It takes up the essential arguments, contributes some novel interpretations, challenges some assessments, and makes essential reading for anyone trying to study the history of early modern France.

Originally published in 1969, this volume provides a lucid analysis of French government and society over two centuries, from the late medieval period to the beginning of Louis XIV's personal rule. It takes up the essential arguments, contributes some novel interpretations, challenges some assessments, and makes essential reading for anyone trying to study the history of early modern France.

Originally published in 1968, this authoritative study analyses the Parlement as a law court and examines its political role and significance. From its beginning in the mid-13th Century until its fall during the 1789 Revolution, the Paris Parlement stood at the heart of government in France. Its primary function as the crown's judicial authority grew out of the need for a royal court to dispense justice when the king could no longer do so personally. The book describes how the Parlement evolved sophisticated procedures and a complex organization of chambers, officers and personnel and examines the Parlement's judicial and political growth, against the social backdrop of the Court and the Palais de Justice.

Shennan examines the changing criteria upon which European relations were based between 1689 and 1789, a complex period which saw: the decline of dynasticism the emergence of economic power as a concomitant of military might the growth of British influence the dawn of nationalism For easy reference, this book also contains extensive chronologies of the important battles, treaties and alliances of the period, along with a list of further reading.

Since the first appearance of this book in 1983, the bicentenary of the French Revolution has been celebrated. In order to make contemporary sense of that momentous and dramatic event, historians have re-examined the world of 18th-century France. This fully revised second edition takes account of this and of other historical work produced during the last decade. It is a concise introductory text for students, covering: the period between Louis XIV's death in 1715 and the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789; France's accomplishments in international affairs, commercial expansion, and intellectual and artistic life; the significance of long-term political, social and economic forces in causing the Revolution; and how the changing perception of government, from one of dynastic, divine-right kingship towards the idea of a national enterprise, first altered the relationship between the crown and the privileged orders, and ultimately undermined the old regime.

Shennan examines the changing criteria upon which European relations were based between 1689 and 1789, a complex period which saw:
* the decline of dynasticism
* the emergence of economic power as a concomitant of military might
* the growth of British influence
* the dawn of nationalism
For easy reference, this book also contains extensive chronologies of the important battles, treaties and alliances of the period, along with a list of further reading.

This fully revised second edition takes account of historical work produced during the last decade. Covering the period between Louis XIV's death in 1715 and the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, it discusses: * France's accomplishments in international affairs, commercial expansion, and intellectual and artistic life * the significance of long-term political, social and economic forces in causing the Revolution * how the changing perception of government, from one of divine-right kingship towards the idea of a national enterprise, ultimately undermined the old regime.

Looks at the king and his beliefs, domestic problems, and foreign policy.