Ordinance of Moulins

French history

Also known as: Ordonnance de Moulins

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July 23, 2026

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The Ordinance of Moulins, issued in 1566, was a significant legal reform in French history. It aimed to standardize and clarify French law, particularly concerning civil matters. This ordinance was part of a broader effort to consolidate royal authority and create a more unified legal system across the kingdom.

The ordinance addressed various aspects of civil law, including property rights and legal procedures. It sought to replace diverse local customs with a more consistent set of rules, making the law more accessible and predictable for all citizens. This move towards codification was a crucial step in the development of French civil law, laying groundwork for later legal reforms.

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Michel de L’Hospital
…and in 1566 promoted the Ordonnance de Moulins, which went far to rectify many problems in judicial administration and also stipulated policies for the administration and centralization of the royal domain (crown lands). In September 1567 civil war broke out again, and Catherine lost confidence in L’Hospital’s policy of toleration.…
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…and in 1566 promoted the Ordonnance de Moulins, which went far to rectify many problems in judicial administration and also stipulated policies for the administration and centralization of the royal domain (crown lands). In September 1567 civil war broke out again, and Catherine lost confidence in L’Hospital’s policy of toleration.…
Read More

appanage
In 1566 the Ordinance of Moulins established the principle of the inalienability of the domain, although during the Wars of Religion of the next 30 years it was not always strictly adhered to. With the growth of the absolute power of the monarch during the 17th century, appanages…
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In 1566 the Ordinance of Moulins established the principle of the inalienability of the domain, although during the Wars of Religion of the next 30 years it was not always strictly adhered to. With the growth of the absolute power of the monarch during the 17th century, appanages…
Read More