Introduction: French society was divided into three estates, each with its own privileges and obligations. The estates were based on social and economic status and played a crucial role in shaping politics and society in France before the French Revolution.

The First Estate:
The First Estate consisted of the clergy, who held significant power and wealth in French society. They were exempted from paying taxes and controlled vast lands and resources. The clergy was divided into two groups: the higher clergy, which consisted of bishops and archbishops, and the lower clergy, which included priests and monks. The First Estate played a significant role in the government, as many members of the clergy served as advisors to the king and held high positions in the royal court.

The Second Estate:
The Second Estate was composed of the nobility, which included the king, lords, and other aristocrats. They held vast estates and controlled the military and the judiciary. The nobility enjoyed many privileges, including exemption from taxes and the right to hunt and fish on common lands. The Second Estate was divided into two groups: the court nobility, which included those who lived in the royal court, and the provincial nobility, who governed their estates.

The Third Estate:
The Third Estate was the largest and the least privileged estate. It was composed of the bourgeoisie, the peasants, and the urban workers. The bourgeoisie was a rising class of wealthy merchants, bankers, and professionals who were excluded from political power. The peasants were the largest group, and they lived in poverty and worked the land owned by the nobility. The urban workers were mostly artisans and laborers who lived in overcrowded cities and worked in factories.

Conclusion: The three estates played a crucial role in shaping politics and society in France before the Revolution. The inequalities and privileges enjoyed by the First and Second Estates led to widespread discontent among the Third Estate, which ultimately culminated in the French Revolution.

The French Society was divided mainly in three estates. They were clergy or the first estate, nobility or the second estate and the third estate which consist of the businessman, peasants,lawyers,farmers etc. There was one more estate i.e. the fourth estate which consists of the other poor and low caste people.