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EAUX ET FORÊTS
. Forests, streams, and ponds were an important source of income to any seigneur
fortunate enough to possess such resources, and all medieval kings attributed great
importance to their forests. To prevent poaching and to administer sales of wood and
other sources of revenue, the French crown employed a variety of forestry officials. A
well-established local administrative structure was in place throughout the 13th century.
Beginning with the reign of Philip IV, the system became more centralized. In March
1302, a royal ordinance on the administration of eaux et forêts established a two-tiered
structure of “masters” and “guards.” The main innovation of this reign, however, was the
appointment of Philippe “le Convers” de Villepreux as enquêteur of the king’s forests.
Officials in the field reported to Villepreux, who traveled extensively to investigate the
forest administration and eliminate abuses.
Villepreux remained active until 1327, and successors carried on his work until, in
1384, a royal ordinance formally established the position of “sovereign master of waters
and forests.” This position was abolished in 1413 but reinstated during the period 1428–
1575. The eaux et forêts administration soon gained judicial responsibilities, and cases
involving forest law were heard at the “marble table” in the royal palace.
John Bell Henneman, Jr.
Lot, Ferdinand, and Robert Fawtier. Histoire des institutions françaises au moyen âge. 3 vols.
Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1957–62, Vol. 2: Institutions royales (1958).
Pegues, Franklin. The Lawyers of the Last Capetians. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1962.
[For the career of Villepreux.]
ÉBREUIL
. The former abbey church of Saint-Léger at Ébreuil (Allier) was founded in the 11th
century by the monks of Saint-Maixent. In 1180, Gregory VII placed the monastery
under the Rule of St. Benedict.
Built in the 11th century, the church has a six-bay nave flanked by aisles (the southern
aisle was reconstructed in the 18th century) and an apsed choir with ambulatory and five
radiating chapels. The transept (the north arm of which is now partially destroyed) is
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