The Estates and Privileges in France

In feudal France, society was divided into three main estates, each of which enjoyed different privileges and had distinct roles within the feudal system. These estates were:

1. The First Estate: The Clergy
The first estate comprised the clergy, including bishops, abbots, and other religious figures. They held significant power and were exempt from many taxes and obligations. The privileges enjoyed by the clergy included:
- Exemption from paying taxes to the state.
- Control over religious affairs and the ability to influence political decisions.
- Ownership of vast amounts of land, which generated substantial income.

2. The Second Estate: The Nobility
The second estate consisted of the nobility, including lords, barons, and knights. They held positions of power and were responsible for providing military service to the king. The privileges enjoyed by the nobility included:
- Exclusive rights to hunting, fishing, and other activities on their lands.
- Immunity from certain taxes and jurisdiction under feudal law.
- The ability to collect feudal dues from peasants who worked on their lands.

3. The Third Estate: The Commoners
The third estate encompassed the majority of the population, including peasants, artisans, and merchants. They had limited rights and were burdened with numerous obligations. The commoners did not enjoy the same privileges as the clergy and nobility, and their obligations included:
- Paying taxes to both the state and their feudal lord.
- Providing labor services, such as working on the lord's land for specified periods of time.
- Paying feudal dues, which were various forms of payments made to the lord, including rent, tithes, and other fees.

Feudal Dues in France

Feudal dues were payments or services that the peasants of the third estate were obligated to provide to their feudal lords. These dues helped sustain the feudal system and were a central aspect of the economic relationship between the lord and the peasants. The types of feudal dues that existed in France included:

1. Rent
Peasants had to pay rent to their feudal lord for the use of land. The amount of rent varied depending on the size and fertility of the plot.

2. Tithes
Tithes were payments made to the Church, typically equal to one-tenth of the peasant's income or produce. This was collected by the clergy and used to support the Church's activities.

3. Corvée
Corvée was a form of unpaid labor that peasants had to provide to their lord. This involved working on the lord's land for a specified number of days each year, often during planting and harvesting seasons.

4. Feudal Taxes
Peasants were also subject to various taxes imposed by their feudal lords, such as taxes on goods produced, sales, or transportation.

5. Banalités
Banalités were fees or dues paid by peasants for the use of the lord's mill, oven, or wine press. Peasants were required to use these facilities and pay a fee for their services.

6. Patentes
Patentes were taxes levied on artisans and merchants based on the size of their business. These taxes were meant to regulate and control economic activities within

The first two estates that is the clergy and the nobility enjoyed feudal privileges.Direct tax called taille and also a number of indirect taxes which were charged on articles of everyday consumption like salt or tobacco. A tax called Tithe was also collected by the church from the peasants.UPvote if that helps:)