A prévôt (French pronunciation: [pʁeˈvoː]) was a governmental position of varying importance in Ancien Régime France, typically referring to a civil officer, magistrate, head of cathedral or church, often anglicised as provost.
[2] Prévôt is a Middle French term that comes from the classical Latin praepositus, meaning "person placed in charge" (literally "positioned at the front").
The term referred to a seignorial officer in charge of managing burgh affairs and rural estates and, on a local level, customarily administered justice.
Basically, Provost jurisdiction was restricted to minor and medium delinquency committed in towns under their control, but was often usurped by Burgh/City courts chaired by burgesses.
Very early, however, certain provostships were bestowed en garde, i.e., on condition the provost regularly render accounts to the King for his collections.
With the death of Louis XI, farmed provostships were still numerous and spurred a remonstrance from the States General in 1484.
With the office of Great Seneschal vacant after 1191, the bailies became stationary and established themselves as powerful officials superior to provosts.
Moreover, in the 14th century, provosts no longer were in charge of collecting domainal revenues, except in farmed provostships, having instead yielded this responsibility to "royal receivers" (receveurs royaux).
This followed a precedent established in the chief feudal courts in the 13th and 14th centuries in which summary provostship suits were distinct-guished from solemn bailliary sessions (assises).
He was, however, required to seek the advice of legally-qualified experts (cousellors or attorneys) of his choosing, and, in so doing, was said to "summon his council" (appelait à son conseil).
The office was restored in 1609 by simple decree of the King's Council, but it was opposed by the Parlement courts and seems to have been conferred in but few instances.
As Presidial judges had concurrent jurisdiction with Provost Marshals for non-military cases, the two vied openly to be vested.