 As a consequence, the real power in the regions shifted towards the Intendant, who since 1666 had the official title of "Intendent of Police, Justice and Finances and Commissioner sent in the " Généralités" of the Realm for the Execution of the King's Orders" ("Intendant de police, justice et finances, Commissaire départi dans les généralités du royaume pour l'exécution des ordres du Roi"), or in short "Intendant (de généralité)".There were 33 of them, each one at the head of a "Généralité", which at first was simply a tax collection district of France, but became more and more a general administration province of the royal government.Subsequently the Intendants saw their powers and competences increased at such a level, that they were nicknamed "the right hand of the King in the province".