Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts

With the Edict of Villers -Cotterets (French Ordonnance de Villers -Cotterets ) from August 15, 1539 King Francis I led a comprehensive reform of the judiciary and administration through which, among other things, in Article 111 of the French language ( langage maternel Francoys ) for sole certificates and administrative language in France will be charged. Until that time, the use of Latin was common in legal matters.

The edict is named after the town of Villers -Cotterêts in Picardy, in which it was adopted.