The States or the Estates (French: États, German: Landstände, Dutch: Staten) signifies the assembly of the (feudalistic) representatives of the estates of the realm, called together for purposes of legislation or deliberation. In German speaking countries they were also known by the name Landtag (see also Diet).
In some states, the first estate were the Roman Catholic clergymen, the second estate was composed of the nobility, and the third estate was composed of the bourgeoisie and the peasants. Bourgeoisie, peasants and people with no estate from birth were separated in Sweden and Finland, as late as 1905.
Read more about The Estates: Examples, States General
Famous quotes containing the word estates:
“I hate the noise and hurry inseparable from great Estates and Titles, and look upon both as blessings that ought only to be given to fools, for ‘tis only to them that they are blessings.”
—Mary Wortley, Lady Montagu (1689–1762)