USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The First Estate was the clergy, who were people, including priests, who ran both the Catholic church and some aspects of the country. In addition to keeping registers of births, deaths and marriages, the clergy also had the power to levy a 10% tax known as the tithe.

Detailed explanation-2: -The First Estate was composed of the clergy and modern historians estimate it numbered between 100, 000 and 160, 000 individuals (roughly 0.5% of the total population). Despite its small size, the First Estate wielded considerable political and social power as it conferred legitimacy on the King’s ‘Divine Right’ to rule.

Detailed explanation-3: -France under the Ancien Régime (before the French Revolution) divided society into three estates: the First Estate (clergy); the Second Estate (nobility); and the Third Estate (commoners).

Detailed explanation-4: -98% of France’s population made up the Third Estate. There were three sub-groups in the Third Estate.

Detailed explanation-5: -The First Estate was made up of clergymen–anyone that had a position with the church. This first estate was less than 1% of the population of France. The clergy owned 10% of the land and paid very little in taxes. They also collected tithes from the other classes, from which they could get very wealthy.