Lettre De Cachet (Noun)
Meaning
A warrant formerly issued by a French king who could warrant imprisonment or death in a signed letter under his seal.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The lettre de cachet was a powerful tool used by French monarchs to silence their enemies and critics, often without trial or due process.
- During the 18th century, many writers and intellectuals were imprisoned or forced into exile by lettre de cachet, simply for expressing views that were deemed subversive or threatening to the crown.
- The use of lettre de cachet was a major factor in the growing discontent among the French people that eventually contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
- One of the most famous victims of the lettre de cachet was the philosopher and writer Denis Diderot, who was imprisoned for several months in 1749 for his perceived blasphemy.
- The lettre de cachet was finally abolished in 1789, as part of the broader reforms of the French Revolution that aimed to establish the principles of liberty, equality, and justice.