 The position was a successor to the earlier positions of Mayor of the Palace and Seneschal of France.One of the highest posts in the French court, the "Grand maître" directed the Maison du Roi, appointed new officers to the "Maison" (who would swear an oath of service in his hands) and managed the budget of the "Maison".He was also responsible for policing the court and he managed the king's lands (which made him a sort of Minister of the Interior).