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Rulers of France since 987

(Encyclopedia)Rulers of France since 987(including dates of reign)The CapetiansHugh Capet, 987–96Robert II (the Pious), son of Hugh Capet, 996–1031Henry I, son of Robert II, 1031–60Philip I, son of Henry I, 1...

Voltaire, François Marie Arouet de

(Encyclopedia)Voltaire, François Marie Arouet de fräNswä´ mär´ ärw´ d vôltr´ [key], 1694–1778, French philosopher and author, whose original name was Arouet. One of the towering geniuses in lite...

Ferney-Voltaire

(Encyclopedia)Ferney-Voltaire frn´-vôltr´ [key], town, Ain dept., E France, on the French-Swiss frontier near Geneva. The town grew after Voltaire bought the seigniory of Ferney in 1758 to escape harassmen...

Jean de Meun

(Encyclopedia)Jean de Meun zhäN d möN [key], d. 1305, French poet, also known as Jean Chopinel (or Clopinel) of Meung-sur-Loire. He wrote the second part of the Roman de la Rose and made translations from Latin...

Crébillon, Prosper Jolyot de

(Encyclopedia)Crébillon, Prosper Jolyot de prôspr´ zhôly´ d krbyôN´ [key], 1674–1762, French dramatist. His tragic melodramas, marked by violent plots, include Idoménée (1705), Électre (1708),...

Caylus, Marie Marguerite, comtesse de

(Encyclopedia)Caylus, Marie Marguerite, comtesse de mär märgrt´ kôNts´ d klüs´ [key], 1673–1729, French writer and actress. A noted beauty and wit, she was lauded for her performance at Saint-C...

lettre de cachet

(Encyclopedia)lettre de cachet l´tr d käsh´ [key], formerly in French law, private, sealed document, issued as a communication from the king. Such a letter could order imprisonment or exile for an indivi...

Lally, Thomas Arthur, baron de Tollendal, comte de

(Encyclopedia)Lally, Thomas Arthur, baron de Tollendal, comte de tômä´ ärtür´ bärôN d tôläNdäl´ kôNt d läl´ [key], 1702–66, French general; son of an Irish Jacobite resident in France. As com...

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