1315: 'Freedom' and Serfdom, an Ambivalent Ordinance

By an ordinance of July 3, 1315, Louis X asserts a strong idea: “according to the law of nature, everyone must be born free”. But in practice, the measure is a compromise: it mainly organizes emancipations that are carefully framed, often against payment, in order to reconcile principle and finances.

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⚖️ A Political Gesture

After a reign reputed to be harsh, power seeks a sign of appeasement and justice. Emancipation becomes an instrument of government: it reinforces the image of a king as arbiter and “dispenser of justice”.

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💰 A Fiscal Logic

A commission is established to evaluate the pecuniary value (peculium), that is, the value attached to each serf. The mechanism is financial:

• for serfs depending directly on the king, the amount goes to the crown;
• for serfs depending on a lord, the sum is divided between the crown and the lord.

The system is constraining: emancipation must be purchased, and when serfs cannot pay, power envisages seizures, presenting these profits as useful to financing an expedition, notably toward Flanders.

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🧠 Key Points to Remember

• 1315 marks a symbolic turning point, but application remains framed.
• Reforming is also financing: “freedom” is linked to the treasury.