Although vernacular languages were increasingly preferred to Latin in western Europe in the late Middle Ages, the status of Occitan in Béarn was unusual because its use was required by law: "lawyers will draft their petitions and pleas in the vernacular language of the present country, both in speech and in writing".
During the late Middle Ages, vernacular languages were increasingly favored over Latin in western Europe; nonetheless, Occitan's use in Béarn was unique due to legal stipulations: "lawyers will draft their petitions and pleas using the local language of the present country, both verbally and in writing".