Definition
A 'lettre de cachet' (French for 'letter of the signet') was a warrant formerly issued by the French king, allowing imprisonment or exile without a trial. Imagine it as the ultimate 'get out of jail... directly to jail' card, but issued by the monarch. These letters were sealed with the king's signet ring, indicating their authenticity and royal authority. They were often used arbitrarily, leading to abuse and injustice. The use of lettres de cachet was a major point of contention leading up to the French Revolution, as they represented absolute royal power. It was a symbol of the monarchy's unchecked power to silence or remove anyone they disliked.