HIS109Y1 Lecture : December Notes
Document Summary
French revolution y divided into 3 estates y 1) clergy least numerous. There was a very small population of clerics. They controlled 10% of the arable land of the kingdoms. The idea of clerical living was not something that was envied. The granting of free gifts (protection money) the church would grant money to the king (so they wouldn t be taxed). y 2) the second estate 400,000 nobel class owns 1/4th of the land of france. These functions had no longer had any meaning. Anyone who could afford it, would live in versailles. They were very distant from the people that pay their ways. The nobles of the sword (noblesse de l epee). They would sell their sons to a wealthy family with a big dowry. They were arrogant, selfish and despised everyone who wasn t descended from louis. Under them were the nobles of the robe (noblesse de la robe).
