Président à mortier

The office of "président à mortier" was one of the most important legal posts of the French "ancien régime". They were principal magistrates of the highest juridical institutions, the "parlements", 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.