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 consisted of members of the Catholic Church (the clergy). The Second Estate consisted of members of the aristocracy (the nobility). The Third Estate comprised all other members of french society (the commoners).

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). The king was considered part of no estate.

Detailed explanation-4: -The First Estate was a small but influential class in 18th century French society, comprising all members of the Catholic clergy. The status and privileges enjoyed by the First Estate became a significant source of grievance leading up to the French Revolution.

Detailed explanation-5: -The First Estate contained approximately 100, 000 to 160, 000 individuals, representing roughly 0.5% of the total population of France. Senior ecclesiastics, including Archbishops and bishops, generally originated from the aristocracy (the Second Estate) and were considered members of the ‘higher clergy’.