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Le Consistoire de Genève et la surveillance des jeux (16e-18e siècles)

ContributorsWerly, Baptiste
Number of pages640
Imprimatur date2025-10-06
Defense date2025-07-10
Abstract

In this historical investigation, we focus on consistorial supervision of ludic affairs in the Republic of Geneva over a long period of time, i.e. from the birth of the Consistory (1541) to the end of the Genevan Ancien Régime (1798). This monograph, at the crossroads of the history of Reformed ecclesiastical discipline and the history of games in the modern era, attempts to fill a number of historiographical gaps, as our knowledge of the subject focuses mainly on Calvin's time. The investigation is based primarily on an analysis of the content of Consistory sessions, cross-referenced with data found in the registers of the Company of Pastors and the Small Council. Gaming (even legal games) is monitored on a daily basis. Because of human corruption, gambling, which is generally not bad considered in itself, is often an opportunity for debauchery and abuse, which ecclesiastical discipline firmly condemns and sometimes punishes by suspension from the Lord's Supper, or even referral to the Magistrate (fines, imprisonment). The Consistory seeks, among other things, to reconcile conflicting gamblers, protect young people from the pernicious effects of the passion for gambling, and correct spouses who lose their money gambling and jeopardize the material and moral stability of the home. Among other things, the Consistory sought to reconcile conflicting gamblers, protect young people from the pernicious effects of gambling, and correct spouses who lost their money gambling and jeopardized the material and moral stability of the household. This study, which extends to the end of the 18th century, sheds light on changes in the theological and theoretical discourse on gaming, and places the case of Geneva in a more global context specific to Europe in the modern era.

Keywords
  • Christianisme
  • Consistoire
  • Discipline ecclésiastique
  • Histoire moderne
  • République de Genève
  • Réforme
  • Jeux
NoteThèse réalisée en cotutelle internationale entre l’Université Lyon 3 et l’Université de Genève. Note 6/6 (Summa cum laude)
Citation (ISO format)
WERLY, Baptiste. Le Consistoire de Genève et la surveillance des jeux (16e-18e siècles). Thèse, 2025. doi: 10.13097/archive-ouverte/unige:188127
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Creation01/10/2025 07:54:09
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Update11/05/2026 07:42:13
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