Conseiller d'État (France)
In
Under the Ancien Régime
Councillors of State were among the highest dignitaries of the French monarchy during the
Their title gave them great power, and in the administrative hierarchy they were considered directly below Princes of the royal family ("princes du sang"),
Councillors held commissions (i.e. not purchased and hereditary offices) appointed by the king by letters patent. The prestigious position conferred immediate nobility on the commission-holder, if not already a member of the nobility. Their official job description stated that they were to be "consulted by the King on any matter and on any occasion as the King saw fit". In practice, their role was a combination of the duties of present-day Councillors of State and justices of the French Supreme Court.
Commissions were not limited by age, although the King generally appointed men of lawful age.
All the Councillors of State sat on the King's
After the Revolution
Councillors of State became high-level government officials serving in the Council of State. A Councillor of State is one of the six ranks of the Council's members, namely, Master, Senior Master, Master of Requests, Councillor of State, Department Head, and Vice-Chairman.
See also
References
- Bluche, François. L'Ancien régime: Institutions et société. Collection: Livre de poche. Paris: Editions de Fallois, 1993.