Papier Timbre

By Crusader1307

In the 16th Century, under the Reign of France's King Louis XIV, His Monarchy began to excessively tax just about everything He could to generate revenue (a means of recouping several War Costs). While this was accepted by The Aristocracy, the Common people were burdened with ''pennies they could not afford''. On such taxation measure was known as ''Papier Timbre''. This was a special Revenue Stamp applied to any paper document, regardless of it's origin or need. As such, if a document did NOT have The Timbre Stamp, it was not considered a ''legal document'' (again even with Legal standing). So repressive, as The Tax was applied to everything, a Revolt was stage in 1670 – by which at first Embargoes and then in some cases armed conflict resulted. While The Timbre was lessened to a degree, in reality it helped to contribute to the later French Revolution of 1789.