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The Three Estates Facts & Worksheets

The Estate system was a social and political structure in pre-revolutionary France. It divided society into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.

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The Estate system was a social and political structure in pre-revolutionary France. It divided society into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.

See the fact file below for more information on The Three Estates, or you can download our 27-page The Three Estates worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DEFINITION of ESTATES

  • The idea of an estate refers to the partition of society into separate social groups with certain rights, obligations, and advantages in the context of Western political and legal history.
  • The clergy, the nobles, and the common people made up the three estates or orders that characterized Medieval European civilization. This divisional structure, known as the feudal system, was marked by an unbending hierarchy of wealth and power. 

THE FIRST ESTATE – CLERGY

  • French society had three estates or orders before the revolution. Around 130,000 ordained Catholics, including archbishops, bishops, parish priests, monks, friars, and nuns, were represented in the First Estate.
  • The First Estate held a distinguished position in the social hierarchy. The Church and its clergy were the only means for the average person to comprehend or have access to God and the afterlife in late 18th-century Europe since belief in God, religion, and the afterlife predominated.
  • As a result, the Catholic Church had a certain amount of intellectual and ideological influence on the populace. It was also a crucial component of France’s political and social structure.

BENEFITS

  • The First Estate benefited from their exemption from paying taxes as well as the substantial amount of land they controlled. 
  • By controlling institutions of religion like churches and monasteries, they also had a significant impact on everyday people’s lives. The Church also offered social services like healthcare, education, and other things that helped people.

CRITICISM

  • The First Estate, however, was also criticized for their money, influence, and corruption. The fact that the clergy were exempt from paying taxes while the general public had to was despised by many. 
  • The clergy was accused of living affluent lives and abusing their position for personal benefit. 
  • As a result of criticism of the Church’s doctrine and methods, numerous philosophical and religious movements emerged during the Enlightenment.
  • Because many people viewed the clergy as representative of the previous order and the abuses of the ancien régime, the First Estate finally came under attack during the French Revolution. 
  • As a result, much of the clergy lost their privileges and income during the Revolution, and the Church’s influence was significantly diminished.

THE SECOND ESTATE – NOBILITY

  • The nobility, regarded as the second highest social class after the clergy during the French ancien régime, was referred to as the Second Estate. They had several rights and advantages, such as tax exemption and the ability to occupy powerful posts in the military and government.

BENEFITS

  • Because of their money and social standing, the nobility enjoyed a life of luxury and substantial political influence. 
  • They also had access to services, such as healthcare, education, and other things that the average person did not.
  • The patronage system, which allowed the nobles to support and protect their clients in return for their allegiance and services, also allowed them to maintain their influence and authority. 
  • The nobility could maintain their position of privilege and power because of this arrangement, which gave them considerable population control.

CRITICISM

  • The Second Estate, nevertheless, was also criticized for abusing its status, riches, and influence. The fact that the nobility did not have to pay taxes like the rest of the populace angered a lot of people. 
  • The nobility was accused of living lavish lives and abusing their position for personal gain. People also condemned the aristocracy’s opposition to change and its slowness to reform.
  • Additionally, the Second Estate lacked economic influence. In contrast to the Third Estate, which included farmers, merchants, and workers who contributed to the economy, the nobles relied on the labor of others rather than carrying out any productive work themselves. 
  • Critics claimed that the nobility burdened the economy since they made no substantial contributions to society.
  • This criticism encouraged the Third Estate’s demands for political change and more representation and fanned a growing sense of anger toward the nobility.
  • Ultimately, the Revolution led to the abolition of the Second Estate’s aristocratic privileges and the development of a more equitable society.

THE THIRD ESTATE – COMMONERS

  • Before the French Revolution, the term “the Third Estate” was used to refer to the common people who did not belong to the clergy or the nobility. Peasants, artisans, businesspeople, and lawyers were all included in this.
  • Despite being the largest and most varied social group in France, the Third Estate had little political clout or impact.
  • The clergy and nobility enjoyed more rights and benefits than the Third Estate. 
  • They had to pay high taxes, and many had to endure various forms of servitude and feudal duties. The aristocracy wielded arbitrary control over the common people, who had limited access to healthcare, education, and other amenities.
  • The king, the nobility, and some intellectuals voiced various objections to the Third Estate during the French Revolution, criticizing them for their extremism, lack of cohesion, and self-interest.
  • The Third Estate’s lack of political experience was their initial point of attack. Those with little to no political experience made up the majority of the Third Estate. 
  • As a result, several detractors claimed they lacked the necessary skills to rule the nation well and could not be trusted.
  • The Third Estate was perceived, particularly by the nobility, as a bunch of illiterate, inexperienced people incapable of handling the intricacies of governing.
  • Despite this criticism, the Third Estate was able to organize and steer the Revolution, which resulted in several important changes to French society and the government. The French Revolution overthrew the ancien régime and ushered in a society that was more democratic and equal.
  • The Third Estate served as a spark for many of the revolutionary changes that occurred in France, including the end of feudalism and the foundation of a constitutional monarchy. 
  • They gained additional economic and political prospects as a result of these changes, which was to their advantage as well. In fact, the goal of the Revolution was to improve society overall for all French citizens, not just for the Third Estate.
  • The Third Estate was successful in opposing the status quo while demanding more political influence and representation. Despite opposition during the Revolution, they managed to guide the nation toward a more democratic and just society.

The Three Estates Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about The Three Estates across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about The Three Estates. The Estate system was a social and political structure in pre-revolutionary France. It divided society into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. The Three Estates Facts
  2. The Estates Summarized
  3. Estates in Europe
  4. The Clergy
  5. The Nobility
  6. The Commoners
  7. The French Revolution
  8. Power of the Masses
  9. A Divided Society
  10. France Today
  11. My Community

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Three Estates?

The Three Estates refer to the social divisions that existed in many European societies prior to the French Revolution. They consisted of the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (nobility), and the Third Estate (commoners).

Who belonged to the First Estate?

The First Estate comprised the clergy, including bishops, priests, and monks. They held significant religious and political influence and were exempt from certain taxes.

Who belonged to the Second Estate?

The Second Estate consisted of the nobility, which included aristocrats, landowners, and members of the royal family. They held considerable wealth, inherited privileges, and had significant political power.

Who belonged to the Third Estate?

The Third Estate encompassed the majority of the population, including peasants, merchants, artisans, and the urban middle class. They were often burdened with heavy taxes and lacked the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobility.

What role did the Three Estates play in the French Revolution?

The division of society into the Three Estates played a crucial role in the French Revolution. The Third Estate, representing the commoners, became increasingly dissatisfied with the privileges and power held by the clergy and nobility. This discontent eventually led to the formation of the National Assembly and the storming of the Bastille, marking a significant turning point in the revolution. The French Revolution aimed to address the inequalities between the estates and establish a more equitable society.

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