Henry finally brought peace to France after the civil wars that had occurred after he issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598. Henry never called the Estates General which helped show the absolutism happening in his ruling. Henry expanded the nobility by allowing the sale of hereditary positions through a tax called the paulette. However, even though the nobility was expanded, Henry attempted to curb the power of the nobility. Henry did lower the taxes on the peasantry. The principal minister, Duke of Sully, helped to begin building up the treasury with an annual tax, the aforementioned paulette. Duke of Sully also helped to extend royal power through intedents, which were agents of the crown. In twelve years, Henry and Sully restored public order in France and laid the foundations for economic