He had to arm, equip, and supply the ships for the course of the war, and give letters of marque to corsairs.

During the modern era, few admirals were sailors; moreover, with the exception of Claude d'Annebault, none of them actually commanded the fleet.

It was also a lucrative position: the admiral was allocated a part of the fines and confiscations imposed by the admiralty, and he had a right to unclaimed ships and shipwrecks as well as a tenth of the spoils taken in battle.

These tribunals judged cases dealing with fishing disputes and any crimes committed in the country's ports.

The Admiralty was suppressed in 1627 by Cardinal Richelieu, who had been named to the newly created post of Grand Master of Navigation and who wanted to bring all naval authority under one position.