French States-General

In France under the Ancien Régime, the States-General or Estates-General (in French: États-Généraux), was an assembly of the different classes of French citizenry. It owed its origin to the same causes which produced the Parliament of England, the Cortes of Spain, the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire and the Diets (in German: Landtage) of the states of Germany, and resembled these assemblies in their constitution. In these countries, the royal or ducal power, when it began to extend its scope, found itself limited by the feudal system and had to turn to the forces of feudalism to obtain from them aid and counsel, i.e. pecuniary assistance and moral support. Instead of treating severally with the local representatives of these forces, the ruler found it useful and convenient to enter into contact with them as a whole, treating with them through their principal representatives.

Related Topics:
France - Ancien Régime - Parliament - England - Cortes - Spain - Diet - Holy Roman Empire - Landtag - Germany - Feudal system

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