Charter of 1814
Encyclopedia
The French Charter of 1814 was a constitution
granted by King Louis XVIII of France
shortly after his restoration. The Congress of Vienna
demanded that Louis bring in a constitution of some form before he was restored. It guaranteed many of the rights that most other countries in western Europe had at that time. For example, " Frenchmen are equal before the law, whatever may be their titles and ranks" as well as "every one may profess his religion with equal freedom, and shall obtain for his worship the same protection". There was however special provision made for the Roman Catholic Church
as the official state religion
. It ended with the words "Given at Paris, in the year of grace 1814, and of our reign the nineteenth", this would put the reign of Louis XVIII beginning in June 1795, after the death of Louis XVII
, the youngest son of Louis XVIII's brother Louis XVI
.
, however the ministers were responsible to the king. Also, the king was the head of state
, with command of the armed forces vested in him. He also declared war and made peace treaties and appointed all people of public administration. The king alone could propose laws and could send them to either of the two chambers the Chamber of Peers or the Chamber of Deputies
; however finance bills must be sent to the Chamber of Deputies.
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
granted by King Louis XVIII of France
Louis XVIII of France
Louis XVIII , known as "the Unavoidable", was King of France and of Navarre from 1814 to 1824, omitting the Hundred Days in 1815...
shortly after his restoration. The Congress of Vienna
Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states chaired by Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, and held in Vienna from September, 1814 to June, 1815. The objective of the Congress was to settle the many issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars,...
demanded that Louis bring in a constitution of some form before he was restored. It guaranteed many of the rights that most other countries in western Europe had at that time. For example, " Frenchmen are equal before the law, whatever may be their titles and ranks" as well as "every one may profess his religion with equal freedom, and shall obtain for his worship the same protection". There was however special provision made for the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
as the official state religion
State religion
A state religion is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state...
. It ended with the words "Given at Paris, in the year of grace 1814, and of our reign the nineteenth", this would put the reign of Louis XVIII beginning in June 1795, after the death of Louis XVII
Louis XVII of France
Louis XVII , from birth to 1789 known as Louis-Charles, Duke of Normandy; then from 1789 to 1791 as Louis-Charles, Dauphin of France; and from 1791 to 1793 as Louis-Charles, Prince Royal of France, was the son of King Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette...
, the youngest son of Louis XVIII's brother Louis XVI
Louis XVI of France
Louis XVI was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792, before being executed in 1793....
.
Position of the King
The position of the king was not as central as it had been in the time before the French RevolutionFrench Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, however the ministers were responsible to the king. Also, the king was the head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
, with command of the armed forces vested in him. He also declared war and made peace treaties and appointed all people of public administration. The king alone could propose laws and could send them to either of the two chambers the Chamber of Peers or the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or can refer to a unicameral legislature.-Description:...
; however finance bills must be sent to the Chamber of Deputies.
See also
- Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of FranceLouis XVII , from birth to 1789 known as Louis-Charles, Duke of Normandy; then from 1789 to 1791 as Louis-Charles, Dauphin of France; and from 1791 to 1793 as Louis-Charles, Prince Royal of France, was the son of King Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette...
- Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII , known as "the Unavoidable", was King of France and of Navarre from 1814 to 1824, omitting the Hundred Days in 1815...
- Charles X of FranceCharles X of FranceCharles X was known for most of his life as the Comte d'Artois before he reigned as King of France and of Navarre from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830. A younger brother to Kings Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, he supported the latter in exile and eventually succeeded him...
- Congress of ViennaCongress of ViennaThe Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states chaired by Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, and held in Vienna from September, 1814 to June, 1815. The objective of the Congress was to settle the many issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars,...
- Bourbon RestorationBourbon RestorationThe Bourbon Restoration is the name given to the period following the successive events of the French Revolution , the end of the First Republic , and then the forcible end of the First French Empire under Napoleon – when a coalition of European powers restored by arms the monarchy to the...