The French Libelle: Scandalous booklets about celebrities
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A libelle is a small book of a satirical, insulting or defamatory nature. Originally, the term simply referred to a short piece of writing without a negative connotation. Over time, however, the meaning developed into a scandalous, often anonymous accusation and diatribe.
Characteristics and content of the libelle
Libelles were mostly written in prose, but could also appear in verse. They contained defamatory, slanderous allegations about certain people or institutions. The targets were named, while the authors remained anonymous or used pseudonyms.
The content of the Libelles often centred on the alleged sexual excesses of prominent personalities. Political accusations and scandals were also popular topics. The little books portrayed their victims as perverted, immoral and corrupt.
Well-known victims of the libelle
French kings and their mistresses in particular were frequent targets of the Libelle in the 18th century. "Secret anecdotes" circulated about Louis XV and Madame du Barry. Marie Antoinette was also covered in a flood of pornographic pamphlets after her accession to the throne. She was accused of having numerous affairs and of being extravagant and immoral.
Other celebrities such as Voltaire were also persecuted by the libelists. Some defended themselves in the same way and wrote diatribes against their enemies.
Sale and legal situation
Libelles were printed secretly and passed on and sold under the table. In Versailles, there was a veritable network of booksellers who secretly kept stocks of the scandalous booklets.
Libelles were officially banned and authors as well as printers and sellers could be severely punished, up to and including the death penalty. Nevertheless, production and distribution flourished as demand was high. Many people wanted to read the juicy revelations about the nobility and clergy.
The end of the libelle
After the French Revolution, the Libelle gradually lost its importance. With the advent of newspapers, reporting on scandals shifted to the press. The diatribes evolved into political pamphlets.
To summarise, the French libelle were the forerunners of today's scandal reporting in the tabloid media. They satisfied the readers' thirst for sensationalism with dubious revelations about the private lives of celebrities. Even if the content was highly questionable, they marked a step in the development of freedom of the press and freedom of opinion.
