Foundation · French Flag and Estate System (Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the French monarchy, its centralized powers, notable rulers, and the estate system (Three Estates) including taxes and dues.

Fleur-de-lis

Yellow symbol on the flag of the Kingdom of France.

Kingdom of France

A centralized, hereditary monarchy where the king holds supreme power over executive, legislative, and judicial functions.

Supreme Executive

The king’s power to carry out and enforce laws.

Supreme Legislature

The king’s power to make laws.

Supreme Judge

The king’s role as the ultimate court of appeal.

Scrofula (The King's Evil)

A disease believed to be curable by the king’s touch; people sought royal touch though cures often occurred naturally.

Legitimacy (monarch)

The monarch must be male, French, Catholic, and legitimately born to rule.

Male Primogeniture

The system where the first-born son inherits the throne; male-to-male succession.

Queen Regnant

A female who rules in her own right as sovereign.

Queen Consort

The wife of a king.

Clovis

First Catholic King of the Franks; his rule marked by baptism and royal anointing with oil.

Anointing with oil (coronation)

Ceremonial anointing with sacred oil during coronation, symbolizing divine selection.

First Estate (Clergy)

About 5% of the population; duties include spiritual life, hospitals, charity; Privileges include being not taxed.

Second Estate (Nobility)

About 2.5% of the population; duties as warriors; Privileges include not being taxed and wealth from fortunes and strategic marriages.

Third Estate

About 97% of the population; consists of everyone else; Privileges include engaging in commerce; Duties include paying taxes.

Taille

Land tax paid by each family.

Gabelle

Salt tax.

Tithe

One-tenth of income paid to the church.

Seigneurial Dues

Obligations owed to local lords: fees for mills and wine-presses, days of free labor, extra produce, and hunting rights.

Privileges of the Third Estate

Ability to engage in commerce and earn money, though subject to taxes (Taille, Gabelle, Tithe).