- published: 24 Jan 2012
- views: 95371
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.
In some countries, the estates were called together for the generality (States General or Diet)
In some countries the present-day parliament or government still has the historical name.