Claude d'Annebault (c.1495-1552) was one of the major figures of the reign of Francis I. Governor of Piedmont, lieutenant at the government of Normandy, marshal and admiral of France, French leading negotiator for the treaties of Crépy and Ardres, he carried out the direction or "superintendance" of the main political matters at the end of this reign (1543-1547). The reconstruction of the life and career of this man, forgotten by the History, clarifies the role of the "favorite counselor" in the middle of the 16th century, as a keystone of the political system and main recipient of king's favour, as well as it reveals the mutual bonds between high level of responsibilities and favour granted and demonstrated. Thus appear the meaning and the purpose of a system of government based on one favorite counselor, so personally related to the king that he could almost personify himself as a royal alter ego--Back cover.