French Society
Society was divided into layers. At the very top was the king. The King was there by gods will. He had absulote power to make laws, he was the law at least that was the theory. In reality the king was very much influenced by the wealthy nobility. They were the top layer. The next layer was the clergy or really the rich and influential clergy, such as bishops. They too had special rights and privilleges, and were governed by special church laws, not those of the state. Next came the bourgeoise, the middle class people of wealth. The richest of them could buy their way into nobility most could not and resented the condtant demands on them for taxes to support the king and his goverment. But those with money could always buy various public offenses and use the postion to make wealth for themselves. Near the bottom were the peasents and the city workers. The laws exploited them, they had no vote. They were presumed guilty if arrested for a crime, and had no right to legal representation if they could not afford it. They could be tortured by the officials of the state. Their property could be seized, and their personal rights had to give way before traditional obligations. There were fewer rights for woman of all classes then there male peers