Basoche

An association of law clerks attached to the Parlement de Paris and other high courts of justice in the 15th c. Officially established by Philippe IV in 1305, they were set up to resolve disputes between the clerks. Their internal structure was modelled on that of the state, with a king, a chancellor, a procureur, an avocat général, etc. This serious purpose was later replaced by burlesque trials and carnavalesque ceremonies. It is estimated that by the end of the 15th c. there were 10, 000 Basochiens in Paris alone; similar societies grew up in all provincial towns with a Parlement. The Basochiens were instrumental in the composition and performance of much late medieval drama, especially the soties; and their legal background and preoccupations are reflected in many soties and a few farces. Towards the end of the 15th c. the Basoches merged, or had members in common with, the Enfants Sans Souci.

[Graham Runnalls]