The Parlement of Paris after the Fronde, 1653-1673

Early modern France and Austria as baroque states

“…He reduced the ability of the parlements to oppose royal policies, but left their composition, membership, privileges, and judicial and administrative functions intact. 103 As in Languedoc and Burgundy, he did not suppress the provincial estates, but arrived at compromises with them, "proving that representative institutions could be a valuable partner for the absolute monarchy." 104 The French monarchy was limited by the parlements which had such functions as registration and remonstrance and by judges who, like most royal officials, owned their offices and passed them on to their heirs, and as such were remarkably independent.…”

“…In July 1661, he issued a decree which stated that the royal councils were superior to the sovereign courts, and that the decrees of the councils were to take precedence over those of the courts. 26 In 1665, a council of justice was established to study the judicial system and draft reform legislation; its members included Colbert, Chancellor Séguier, and prominent lawyers and maîtres des requêtes. In their deliberations, some of the members expressed a belief in absolutist ideology which emphasized royal authority in the state.…”

“…The government did not seek control over the appointment of judges or to reduce their privileges; its primary objective was to reduce the political power of the parlements and prevent them from opposing royal policies. 32 Although Louis did reduce the political power of the judges and extorted money from them, venality, the source of their independence, was never threatened. They continued to own their offices and leave them to their heirs as before.…”

On French "absolutism"

“…The government did not seek control over the appointment of judges or to reduce their privileges; its primary objective was to reduce the political power of the parlements and prevent them from opposing royal policies. 12 As Nicholas Henshall writes, "The independence of the judges was assured since they had purchased their offices: whatever they said or did, the king could not dismiss them." 13 Desperate for money to pay for his wars, especially after 1688, Louis greatly expanded the system of venality and presided over the mass selling of offices, including those in the judiciary.…”