In Frankish Gaul, only Franks had full freedom, and so “franc” from Old French and “francus” from medieval Latin meant “free”, which eventually took on a few more specific meanings, one of which was “speaking freely” (as in “open, honest”). Another meaning is found in the phrase “franking privileges,” which refers to politicians being able to send items in the mail without being charged for them - the items are “free” to be delivered.
That’s exactly it - when a piece of mail with a stamp on it is “canceled” by stamping something on it with ink, yes, that prevents the stamp from being reused, but it is also the sign from the postmaster that the mail may be delivered, having been appropriately paid for.
I guess like the Goths, the Franks were a barbarian tribe, who were presumably reasonably direct and… frank, compared to sophisticated imperial types.
You jest, but you’re not far off.
In Frankish Gaul, only Franks had full freedom, and so “franc” from Old French and “francus” from medieval Latin meant “free”, which eventually took on a few more specific meanings, one of which was “speaking freely” (as in “open, honest”). Another meaning is found in the phrase “franking privileges,” which refers to politicians being able to send items in the mail without being charged for them - the items are “free” to be delivered.
Aha! I’ve always wondered why office postage meters are called franking machines.
That’s exactly it - when a piece of mail with a stamp on it is “canceled” by stamping something on it with ink, yes, that prevents the stamp from being reused, but it is also the sign from the postmaster that the mail may be delivered, having been appropriately paid for.
The cancellation stamp is a franking mark.