the three estates Flashcards
what were the parlements
a high court of law which also registered royal decrees thus establishing them as law
What were royal sessions
when the King attended a parlement
Who did the fist estate consist of
the clergy
What percentage of France was Catholic
97%
How much of the land did the church own
1/10
What privileges did the first estate have
they could only be prosecuted in their own church courts
they could not be asked to perform military service or house troops or provide money for royal troops
were not required to pay the taille
Who did the 2nd estate consist of
the nobility- including the royal family
How much of the land did the second estate own
1/5
How much of the population did the 2nd estate make up
2%
Who were the ancient nobility
status came from birth right
known as the nobility of the sword as they were originally the only men allowed to carry a sword
What privileges did the 2nd estate have
the right to wear a sword, display their coat of arms and take precedence at public ceremonies
had a right to be heard in a high court and be beheaded rather than hanged
exempt from the corvee (forced labour on the roads) and the taille (direct tax) and the gabelle (salt tax) and had lower rate of assessment in other direct taxes
Who were the bourgeoise
rich merchants, industrialists and business people
doctors, lawyers and civil servants
felt as they paid most tax they should get political say
How much of the population did the peasantry make up
85%
What were the grievances of the peasantry
bore the burden of tax
could be tried in seigniorial courts, lord was judge and jury
Who were the urban workers
property owners and artisans- sans culottes
craftsmen belonging to the guild
