USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Second Estate consisted of the nobility of France, including members of the royal family, except for the King. Members of the Second Estate did not have to pay any taxes. They were also awarded special priviliges, such as the wearing a sword and hunting.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -The First Estate consisted of Roman Catholic clergy, and it was by far the smallest group represented in the Estates-General. The Second Estate represented the nobility, which comprised less than 2 percent of the French population.

Detailed explanation-4: -The idea of the “estates” is important to the social structure of the Middle Ages. Feudal society was traditionally divided into three “estates” (roughly equivalent to social classes). The “First Estate” was the Church (clergy = those who prayed). The “Second Estate” was the Nobility (those who fought = knights).

Detailed explanation-5: -The French nobility (French: la noblesse française) was a privileged social class in France from the Middle Ages until its abolition on 23 June 1790 during the French Revolution.