User:Dr Gangrene/Provincial council

The provincial council of Luxembourg was both a court of law, as well as possessing executive functions.

It had its origins in the 13th century. However, it did not achieve significant importance until its reorganisation by Duke Philippe III of Burgundy after his reconquest of Luxembourg. A second, more far-reaching reorganisation was undertaken by Charles V in 1531. This went hand in hand with a return to Roman law, which from then onwards was decisive alongside customary law. At the head of the council were a Governor and a President, who had to be legally educated. The latter was assisted by three noble counselors de courte robe (French, "of the short gown") or conseillers nobles or conseillers d'épée, and three legal scholars de longue robe (also called conseillers lettrés), as well as a Procurator-General and a court clerk. With the President, the legal scholars had a majority of votes in all decisions, which had a re-emphasis towards Roman law as a consequence. However, nobles were not excluded from the ranks of the legal scholars. In fact, by studying law they were able to forge careers in the provincial council, and in the early 18th century the majority of the council's legal scholars came from the nobility.

However, there was no formation of "dynasties" on the council. In the 18th century, it was rare for multiple members of the same family to appear as council members within a short period of time. This can be partly attributed to a ban on father and son sitting on the council at the same time, and also due to the abolition of hereditary offices, introduced by Louis XIV during his reign.