Legal Definitions - droit de prise

Droit de prise is a historical French legal term that describes a commoner's obligation to supply goods to the royal household on credit for its everyday domestic needs.

This duty ensured that the monarchy had a consistent supply of provisions and other articles for its daily operations and consumption, with payment often delayed or uncertain for the commoner providing the goods.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of droit de prise:

• Example 1: The Baker's Daily Delivery

  Imagine a baker living near the Palace of Versailles in 17th-century France. Under the droit de prise, this baker would be compelled to deliver fresh bread and pastries to the royal kitchens every morning. Even though these goods were essential for the royal family's meals, the baker would not receive immediate payment. Instead, the cost would be recorded, and the baker would have to wait, sometimes for months, for the royal treasury to settle the debt.

  This illustrates droit de prise because a commoner (the baker) is supplying articles (bread and pastries) to the royal household (palace kitchens) on credit (delayed payment) for domestic consumption (the royal family's meals).

• Example 2: The Farmer's Harvest Contribution

  Consider a farmer in a village outside Paris during the same period. After a successful harvest, the royal stewards might demand a portion of his produce, such as sacks of potatoes, bushels of apples, or even a few head of poultry, to stock the palace larders. The farmer would be obliged to provide these items, knowing that he would only be paid later, if at all, for his contribution to the royal table.

  This demonstrates droit de prise as a commoner (the farmer) is supplying articles (produce, poultry) to the royal household (palace larders via stewards) on credit (delayed or uncertain payment) for domestic consumption (the royal family's food supply).

• Example 3: The Weaver's Fine Linens

  A skilled weaver in Lyon might receive an order from the royal court for several bolts of fine linen to be used for new bedding or draperies in the queen's private chambers. Despite the significant value of such an order, the weaver would be expected to fulfill it without upfront payment. The transaction would be recorded as a debt owed by the crown, and the weaver would have to extend credit, hoping for eventual reimbursement.

  This exemplifies droit de prise because a commoner (the weaver) is supplying articles (fine linen) to the royal household (the queen's chambers) on credit (no immediate payment) for domestic consumption (furnishings for the royal residence).