Maire

Fr. Under the old government of France the person so called was invested with the first dignity of the kingdom. Charles Martel, of whom so much is said in the history of the French kings, was Maire of the palace. He was, in fact, grand master of the king’s household, and had an entire control over the officers belonging to that establishment. The appellation of Maire du Palais , or mayor of the palace, was given in lieu of Maitre du Palais , or master of the palace. This name was borrowed from the Roman emperors, who had each a grand master of the palace. Du Tillet, a French author, in page 12 of his book, pretends that the word is derived from Mer , which signifies Præfect . At first he had only the care and super intendance of the king’s household, so that his functions were nearly similar to those that were exercised by the grand master of the king’s household previous to the Revolution. During the reign of Clotaire the Second, the power of the Maires increased very considerably. Their influence grew greater through the weakne and effeminacy of the last kings of the second race; so much so, that they maintained an uncontroled power over the royal expenditure, and had the sole management of the king’s affairs. Pepin added the dignity and functions or Maire to the royal prerogative; but he did not suppre them wholly. He merely limited his functions to what they were originally; which however were soon restored, in consequence of the fall and extinction of the second race. As the Maires po e ed an unlimited control over the finances and judicature of the country, and had more over the entire management of the war department, they found little difficulty in a uming a superiority over all the officers belonging to the crown. They took precedence of all dukes and counts who were the governors of provinces. On which account they were called Ducs des Ducs , or dukes of France. Hugh Capet was duke of France at the time he proclaimed himself king of the country; but the kings belonging to the third race, being convinced that the authority which was thus vested in one person, must eventually prove extremely dangerous, abolished the office of Maire du Palais , or duke of France. They divided the functions, and created the four great officers that were immediately attached to the crown. The command and super intendance of the army, were entrusted to the constable; the administration of civil justice was vested in the chancellor; the management of the finances was given to the grand treasurer, and the care of the king’s household devolved upon the seneschal, who was afterwards styled grand master.