In 1558, Jean d'Estouteville, sieur de Villebon and governor of Picardy, wrote to the duke of Guise that ‘il n'y a gouvernement en France où il y ait plus d'affaires qu'il a icy’. The importance of the lieutenant-général du roi in Picardy stemmed in part from the regular army stationed there and its massive augmentation in time of war. It has been suggested that this period of war tended to limit the scope of governors' powers in the interest of the crown. These powers will be examined in chapter 3, but there must be some doubt on the matter, since war arguably enhanced the political and administrative competence of governors as well as of other military officials. The lengthy tenure of the post in Picardy by princes of the house of Bourbon contributed to this augmentation but also complicated it.

The post of governor was a ‘charge’ revocable at royal will, but this power was seldom invoked. However, the first half of the sixteenth century saw the rapid development of the post of deputy governor, appointed at first in times of emergency but later on a permanent basis. It has perhaps too easily been assumed that the deputy governors quickly eclipsed the real power of governors, often great princes preoccupied with court politics. This is not so clear from an examination of the affairs of Picardy, which reveal a continuing central role for the governors and a complex relationship with their deputies.