On offer is a manuscript document containing the formal request to a civil court (Tribunal Civil) from a Madame Marie Louise Lejard requesting a divorce from her husband. The document carries a clear watermark, a clear tribunal seal and a stamp indicating a fee paid.An excerpt from the document follow: Que des le debut du marriage Monsieur Garrouy s'est [] brutal et grossier ... [Translation: From the beginning of the marriage Mister Garrouy has been brutal and coarse…] The letter goes on to detail her reasons for asking for a divorce. Following her comments are notes made by an official of the Tribunal. As well, on the left margin of the verso, are a series of notes. This document is an excellent example of the type of correspondence and applications that would be made in a case under French civil law a century ago. For a collector of French legal documents, this is a very clear example of the process for civil divorce in France. For a women’s Studies program, it is a fine example of how women were treated in the courts in France at this time. The document measures 9.75 inches by 7.0 inches. It fills both sides of a single leaf. The paper is in good condition and the handwriting is legible.
