Chancellor of France

The chancellor of France is an important character of the Ancien Mode, the first of the large officers of monarchy, since the suppression in 1627 of the Connétable and the Admiral de France.

Attributions

The chancellor is the second large officer of the crown in the order of precedences. There is always a chancellor chief of justice and it becomes in fact the most important officer of the crown. As from the 16th century, he is not obligatorily any more an ecclesiastic, it is one of the effects of the increase in the multiplication of the Faculty of Law which forms laic very the qualified able ones to direct justice. Whatever its name, at the 16th century, it is always a lawyer of talent. It is a man who with the experiment of the justice, which chaired courses sovereign in province or in Paris. It is a man of the seraglio which made a career. Its capacities are extremely vast: he proposes, prepares and checks the laws. It is the development of the royal magistrature. Much prolonged their activity by political responsibilities: several became politicians and sat at the council of the king or inspired the policy of the king. Under François Ier, the Concordat of Bologna in 1516 was negotiated by the chancellor Antoine Duprat. In second half of the 16th century, it is the figure of Michel of Hospital which dominates. In the event of disease or of disgrace of the chancellor, so that justice is returned, there is a substitute with this last: Minister of Justice.

Since Louis XIV, the chancellor, under the influence of Colbert, was isolated of any participation in the handling of finances.

Attached by his same functions to the institution of monarchy and not to the person of the King, the Chancellor is irremovable. The King can however withdraw to him in whole or part the exercise of its office to entrust it to a Minister of Justice, revocable.

The chancellery

To assist it, the Chancellor laid out:
  • for the seal, of the main of the requests and the clean officers of the chancellery.
  • for the Councils, of the advisers of State, Masters of the requests, secretary-clerks, lawyers and ushers;
  • for legislative and legal work, of the advisers of State and the Masters of the requests

The clean personnel of the chancellery was very reduced: two secretaries of which a “first secretary” and some writers, on the whole hardly a dozen employees.

Chronological list of the Chancellors of France

Among most famous, under Louis XIV Pierre Séguier, Pontchartrain or Henri François d' Aguesseau, or Rene Nicolas de Maupeou under Louis XV.

References

Internal bond

  • List of the French Ministers for Justice

External bond

  • Election of a chancellor of France in 1373 Text.

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