Président à mortier
Encyclopedia
The office of président à mortier (pʁezidɑ̃t‿a mɔʁtje) was one of the most important legal posts of the French ancien régime. The présidents were principal magistrates of the highest juridical institutions, the parlement
s, which were the appeal courts.
They numbered 11 in 1789. They were spread over chambers, comprising those who were conseiller du parlement, who assessed and dispensed justice, and présidents who chaired sessions.
The most important chamber was the Grand'Chambre. Its presidents, to mark their status as superior to that the presidents of lower chambers, took the mortier
, a black velvet toque with two gold braid ribbons.
The position was venal, being freely bought, sold and inherited, subject to payments to the King. In practice, the parlements consent was needed, and a law examination was required. This limited candidates to those with an academic background in law. After 20 years the position brought entry to the noblesse
; though in fact the purchase of the office ensured that it was only held by nobles.
Typically, the presidents served under a premier président, who was a royal appointee, not a purchaser of the office. This led to constant tensions.
Parlement
Parlements were regional legislative bodies in Ancien Régime France.The political institutions of the Parlement in Ancien Régime France developed out of the previous council of the king, the Conseil du roi or curia regis, and consequently had ancient and customary rights of consultation and...
s, which were the appeal courts.
They numbered 11 in 1789. They were spread over chambers, comprising those who were conseiller du parlement, who assessed and dispensed justice, and présidents who chaired sessions.
The most important chamber was the Grand'Chambre. Its presidents, to mark their status as superior to that the presidents of lower chambers, took the mortier
Mortar Board
Mortar Board is an American national honor society whose purpose is to recognize outstanding students dedicated to the values of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Cornell University Der Hexenkreis chapter, founded in 1892, is the oldest and predates the national society's founding in 1918...
, a black velvet toque with two gold braid ribbons.
The position was venal, being freely bought, sold and inherited, subject to payments to the King. In practice, the parlements consent was needed, and a law examination was required. This limited candidates to those with an academic background in law. After 20 years the position brought entry to the noblesse
Noblesse
In Scotland, the name used for the titled and untitled nobility. The term, derived from the French, remains in use in grants of arms from the Court of the Lord Lyon, the Scottish king of arms...
; though in fact the purchase of the office ensured that it was only held by nobles.
Typically, the presidents served under a premier président, who was a royal appointee, not a purchaser of the office. This led to constant tensions.