How did Louis XIV use the High Council to govern France?

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Charles Le Brun: Portrait of King Louis XIV — Louis XIV *Portrait of King Louis XIV*, by Charles Le Brun, c. 1655.

Louis XIV governed France through the High Council (Conseil d’en Haut), an intimate and secret body designed to centralize authority under his direct control.1

Key aspects of how he utilized this council include:

Exclusive Membership: The council consisted of only three or four members, explicitly excluding the king’s relatives. Ministers held no formal right to their titles and served only at the king's pleasure.1
Broad Consultation: While ministers possessed specific expertise—such as Jean-Baptiste Colbert in finance or Michel Le Tellier in military affairs—Louis expected them to provide advice on all state matters, regardless of their specialty.1
Absolute Authority: Although ministers offered opinions, they understood the danger of arguing once the king had made a final decision. Louis maintained a "watchful and jealous eye" over his counselors, ensuring they reflected his own paternalist and protectionist policies.1
Implementation: To execute decisions made in the High Council, Louis relied on provincial intendants—officials answerable only to the crown—to enforce royal policy, collect taxes, and oversee administration across France’s districts.1

Would you like to know more about the specific roles of the other councils that supported the High Council?