In the early times of monarchy, the judicial functions were performed gratuitously; but it was the custom to give presents to the judges, consisting of sweetmeats, spices, sugar-plums, and preserves, until at a subsequent period, 1498, when, as the judges “preferred money to sweetmeats,” says the Chancellor Etienne Pasquier, the money value of the spices, &c., was fixed by law and made compulsory.  In the bills of expenses preserved among the national archives, we find that the first president of the Parliament of Paris received a thousand livres parisis annually, representing upwards of one hundred thousand francs at the present rate of money; the three presidents of the chamber five hundred livres, equal to fifty thousand francs; and the other nobles of the said Parliament five sols parisis, or six sols three deniers—­about twenty-five francs—­per day for the days only on which they sat.  They received, besides, two mantles annually.  The prelates, princes, and barons who were chosen by the King received no salaries—­ils ne prennent nuls guaiges (law of 27th January, 1367).  The seneschals and high bailiffs, like the presidents of the chambers, received five hundred livres—­fifty thousand francs.  They and the bailiffs of inferior rank were expressly forbidden from receiving money or fees from the parties in any suit, but they were allowed to accept on one day refreshment and bottles of wine.  The salaries were paid monthly; but this was not always done regularly; sometimes the King was to blame for this, and sometimes it was owing to the ill-nature of the chiefs of finance, or of the receivers and payers.  When the blame rested with the King, the Parliament humbly remonstrated or closed the court.  When, on the contrary, an officer of finance did not pay the salaries, Parliament sent him the bailiff’s usher, and put him under certain penalties until he had done so.  The question of salaries was frequently arising.  On the 9th of February, 1369, “the court having been requested to serve without any remuneration for one Parliament, on the understanding that the King would make up for it another time, the nobles of the court replied, after private deliberation, that they were ready to do the King’s pleasure, but could not do so properly without receiving their salaries” (Register of the Parliament of Paris).

At the commencement of the fifteenth century, the scale of remuneration was not increased.  In 1411 it was raised for the whole Parliament to twenty-five thousand livres, which, calculated according to the present rate, amounted to nearly a million francs.  In consequence of financial difficulties and the general distress, the unpleasant question in reference to claims for payment of salaries was renewed, with threats that the course of justice would be interrupted if they were not paid or not promised.  On the 2nd of October, 1419, two councillors and one usher were sent to the house of one of the chiefs of finance,