Description:
Currency and Royal Majesty in 14th Century France. S. Piron. Modern currency is by definition national currency. In the case of France, the process of constructing a monetary territorial unit begins at the end of the 12th century and undergoes a period of strong affirmation under the reign of Philippe IV. By the middle of the 14th century, the notion of royal majesty subsequently facilitates the enunciation of the king's full sovereignty over monetary matters, by justifying the practice of mutations. It is precisely against this vision that the Traité des monnaies by Nicolas Oresme (1355) is written. In 1360, with the return of monetary stability, the notion of majesty, linked to the necessity of a strong currency, aims at consolidating the domination of royal currencies in the country. It is only in the 15th century, once the institution has reached maturity, that more economic preoccupations appear.