APPENDIX I
THE FRENCH CONSTITUTION IN THE FIFTEENTH
AND SIXTEENTH CENTURIES.
Cf. Gasquet, Institutions Politiques et Sociales de la France.
Chéruel, Dictionnaire Historique des Institutions de la France.
I. Central Administration.—Conseil du Roi (King’s Council), or Conseil d’État (Council of State). The supreme Executive Council of the realm. It also exercised Legislative powers through its Ordinances, and high Judicial power until organisation of the Grand Conseil.
1. Sometimes heard ultimate appeals from the Sovereign Law Courts.
2. Evoked cases from other Courts in which public interests were involved.
3. Heard complaints against the royal officials.
These Judicial Powers were subsequently transferred to—
α. The Grand Conseil.—Finally organised in 1497, to decide questions of disputed jurisdiction between the other sovereign Courts, but never very important. Composed of the Constable (the Chief Military Officer), the Chancellor (the Supreme Civil Officer), the Princes of the Blood, Officers of State.
β. The Conseil Privé or des parties. A Judicial Committee of the Council erected in the seventeenth century.