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France: Ancien Régime to Napoleon c.1715-1815

The three estates and the structure of French society

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 Unit 3

Overview

Two privileges enjoyed by the first two estates, venality of office and seigneurial due.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Into which three estates was French society formally divided?

Key term

Name two privileges enjoyed by the first two estates.

Key term

Distinguish the noblesse d'épée from the noblesse de robe.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Into which three estates was French society formally divided?

    Model answer

    The clergy, the nobility, and the third estate comprising everyone else.

  2. 2

    Roughly what proportion of the population belonged to the third estate?

    Model answer

    About ninety-seven per cent.

  3. 3

    Name two privileges enjoyed by the first two estates.

    Model answer

    Exemption from the taille, the main direct tax, and the right to be tried in their own courts.

  4. 4

    Distinguish the noblesse d'épée from the noblesse de robe.

    Model answer

    The nobility of the sword held ancient military titles; the nobility of the robe had acquired nobility through purchased judicial and administrative office.

  5. 5

    What was venality of office?

    Model answer

    The sale of public offices by the Crown, which raised money immediately but created a hereditary officeholding class the King could not remove.

  6. 6

    What was a seigneurial due?

    Model answer

    A payment or obligation owed by a peasant to the lord of the manor, such as the champart on the harvest or fees for using the lord's mill and oven.

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