text: One of Louis's more infamous decrees was the*Grande Ordonnance sur les Colonies*of 
  1685, the*Code Noir*(black code). Although it sanctioned slavery, it attempted to humanise 
  the practice by prohibiting the separation of families. Additionally, in the colonies, only 
  Roman Catholics could own slaves, and these had to be baptised. 
  
  Louis ruled through a number of councils: 
  
  Conseil d'en haut ("High Council", concerning the most important matters of 
  state)—composed of the king, the crown prince, the controller-general of 
  finances, and the secretaries of state in charge of various departments. The 
  members of that council were called ministers of state. 
  Conseil des dépêches ("Council of Messages", concerning notices and administrative reports from the provinces). 
  Conseil de Conscience ("Council of Conscience", concerning religious affairs and episcopal appointments). 
  Conseil royal des finances ("Royal Council of Finances") headed by the "chef du conseil des finances" (an 
  honorary post in most cases)—this was one of the few posts in the council available to the high aristocracy.[38] 
  
  **Early wars in the Low Countries**
  
  **Spain**
  
  The death of Louis's maternal uncle King Philip IV of Spain in 1665 precipitated the War of Devolution. In 1660, Louis had 
  married Philip IV's eldest daughter, Maria Theresa, as one of the provisions of the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees.[39] The marriage 
  treaty specified that Maria Theresa was to renounce all claims to Spanish territory for herself and all her descendants.[39] Mazarin 