 The military privileges were incorporated in the Edict in order to allay the fears of the minority.Over time it became clear these privileges were open to abuse and when in 1620 the Huguenots proclaimed a constitution for the "Republic of the Reformed Churches of France", the Prime Minister Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642) invoked the full powers of the state; He captured La Rochelle after a long siege in 1628.The subsequent Treaty of Alais left the Huguenots their religious freedom but revoked their military freedoms.