Monsieur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monsieur (plural: Messieurs) meant "my lord" in Middle French, and is now generally used in French as an honorific for all men (not possessing a knighthood or some higher rank), the equivalent to the English titles "Mister" and (in some senses) "Sir". Written Monsieur Dupont, M. Dupont, or Mr Dupont (this variant being frowned upon), the plural is messieurs (abbreviation: MM.). This plural is also used as the plural for Mister in English, (written Messrs. Jones, Smith and Davis). This title may commonly be also prefixed to a first name (e.g. Monsieur Jean), unlike Standard English "mister" (however, there are English dialects that accept the prefixion of "mister" to a first name).
Under the French monarchy, Monsieur was an informal honorific like Madame Royale. It was given to the second son of the reigning King. If the King did not have a second son, the title was given to his eldest living younger brother. Those who have been known by this title include:
- Charles, duc d'Orléans (1559–1560)
- Henri, duc d'Anjou (1560–1574)
- François, duc d'Anjou (1574–1584)
- Gaston, duc d'Orléans (1610–1643)
- Philippe I, duc d'Orléans (1643–1701)
- Louis-Stanislas, comte de Provence (1774–1793)
- Charles-Philippe, comte d'Artois (1795–1824)
