Le procureur général Ladislas de Baralle et le ministère public près le parlement de Flandre (1691-1714)

• Main Author: Fontaine, Clotilde
• Other Authors: Lille 2
• Language: fr
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Ministère public; Procureur général; Parlement de Flandre; Louis XIV; Public prosecution; General prosecutor; Flanders' Parlement
• Online Access: http://www.theses.fr/2019LIL2D002

En 1668, Louis XIV établit un conseil souverain à Tournai afin de favoriser le retour de la paix au sein des territoires annexés. Promettant originellement de conserver les usages et particularismes locaux, le monarque souhaite progressivement assimiler la cour souveraine, devenue parlement en 1686, au modèle français. L’approche envisagée permettra une réflexion sur l’histoire du ministère public flamand sous le prisme de l’un de ses « hommes », Ladislas de Baralle, procureur général de 1691 à 1714. Si l’exceptionnelle longévité de sa carrière justifie le choix de cette figure marquante, cette étude s’étend au-delà d’un simple projet prosopographique. L’activité du procureur général s’inscrit en effet au coeur d’une période de bouleversements historiques en Flandre. Ladislas de Baralle, représentant du monarque et garant de l’interprétation des textes royaux, n’en reste pas moins un fervent défenseur de la coutume héritée des Pays-Bas qu’il tente d’appliquer dans un souci d’apaisement. === The 17th and 18th centuries appear as a period of conquests and territorial changes in Europe, particularly in Flanders. In 1668, the southern part of the former Spanish Low Countries are attached to the French crown. To bring peace back in the province, Louis XIV decided to create a court for the newly conquered territories, the conseil souverain of Tournai. This sovereign court replaced the former councils of Flanders and Mons and the Great Council of Malines to judge in appeal the cases brought before the courts of the annexed territories. In 1686, the institution obtained the title of parlement to be definitely assimilated. During its first years of existence, the parlement of Flanders had to assert its particularities. Indeed, when Louis XIV created the court, he promised to keep the Flemish customs and privileges. He therefore appointed local jurists who knew them. In 1691, Ladislas de Baralle became General Procurator. He had one of the longest careers, twenty-three years of office. If today the prosecutor’s function mainly applies to litigation, his role during Ancien Régime was much larger. He embodied the King’s prerogatives and ensured the enforcement of royal legislation in the parlement’s jurisdiction. In spite of his promises, Louis XIV tried progressively to enforce “French” law and procedure in the realm while Flanders asserted its particular Coutumes and privileges. Born in Flanders but representing Louis XIV, how could Baralle balance both roles ?