The nobles are simply his officials or his courtiers.

Since the Concordat he nominates the dignitaries of the Church.

The States-General were not convoked for a hundred and seventy-five years; the provincial assemblies, which continue to subsist, do nothing but apportion the taxes; the parliaments are exiled when they risk a remonstrance.

Through his council, his intendants, his sub-delegates, he intervenes in the most trifling of local matters.

His revenue is four hundred and seventy-seven millions.[1119] He disburses one-half of that of the Clergy.