Les comédiens hors la loi

A historical study charts the long-standing prejudice and legal penalties faced by theatrical professionals, examining how ecclesiastical and civil authorities restricted their participation in sacraments, marriage, and burial. It compares episodes of sanction and occasional clerical hospitality to reveal inconsistencies in practice, weighs contemporary debates about church conduct, and draws on published and archival documents to resolve contested claims. The account identifies the origins and forms of anti-theatrical sentiment, describes notable legal and social responses, and traces the gradual transformation of public and institutional attitudes toward those who worked on the stage.