Page "Napoleonic Code" Paragraph 14

Napoleon set out to reform the French legal system in accordance with the ideas of the French Revolution, because the old feudal and royal laws seemed confusing and contradictory to the people.

Before the Code, France did not have a single set of laws-law consisted mainly of local customs, which had sometimes been officially compiled in " customals " ( coutumes ), notably the Coutume de Paris.

There were also exemptions, privileges, and special charters granted by the kings or other feudal lords.

During the Revolution, the last vestiges of feudalism were abolished.