General states. General states in France

General states were established by the French King Philip IV in 1302. This was done in order to obtain support in the face of influential classes for the struggle against Pope Boniface VIII. The general states had in their composition three chambers, in which the citizens, clergymen and nobility sat. Initially, the last two were recruited by the king. However, by the end of the 15th century they had become elective.

Principle of decision-making

The history of France says that each issue was considered separately by each of the chambers of the assembly. The decision was made by a majority of votes. Finally, it was approved at a joint meeting of the three chambers. And each of them had only one vote. In such conditions, the privileged classes (nobility, clergy) always received the majority. They had nothing to agree with each other.

Frequency of convocation

The general states in France were not a permanent body, like the parliament in Britain. The frequency of their convocation was not established. The king collected the states at his discretion. The convocation of the General States most often occurred during times of various upheavals and political instability. The list of issues discussed and the duration of the meetings were determined by the king.

The main reasons for convening

General states were convened to express the opinion of estates on such issues as the declaration of war, the conclusion of peace and other important topics. The king sometimes consulted, learned the position of the assembly about various bills. However, the decisions of the States of the General Staff were not binding and were of a recommendatory nature. The most frequent reason for convening meetings was the Crown's acute need for money. French kings often turned to estates for financial help. At the meetings, the next taxes were discussed, which at that time were introduced only for one year. Only in 1439 King Charles VII received the go-ahead for collecting a permanent collection - royal thaw. However, if it came to any additional taxes, it was necessary to collect the General States again.

The relationship between the Crown and the Assembly

General states often turned to the kings with complaints, protests and requests. They had to make various proposals, criticize the actions of royal officials and administration. But since there was a direct link between the requests of the States-General and the results of their vote on the funding requested by the king, the latter often conceded to them.

The meeting as a whole was not an ordinary instrument of royalty, although it helped it to strengthen its positions in the country and to strengthen. States often confronted the Crown, not wanting to make the necessary decisions. When the class congregation manifested its character, the monarchs for a long time ceased its convocation. For example, during the period 1468-1560. The states were assembled only once in 1484.

Conflict between the royal power and the General States

Royal power almost always sought the right decisions from the states general. But this does not mean that the congregation has always obeyed the kings unconditionally. The most serious conflict between the royal power and the states dates back to 1357. It occurred during the urban uprising in Paris, when King Johann was captured by the English.

Representatives of the townspeople took part in the work of the General States. They developed a reform program, which was called the "Great March Ordinance." In exchange for the funding given to the authorities, they demanded that the collection and collection of funds be monitored by a meeting that was to discuss these issues three times a year without the permission of the king. From among the participants, reformers were elected, which were endowed with extraordinary powers: the right to control the activities of royal officials, dismissal and punishment (up to the death penalty). But the attempt of the General States to subordinate their finances was not a success. After the suppression of the uprising in Paris and the peasants' speeches of Jacquerie, the crown rejected all the reform demands.

Powers of deputies

Elected deputies had an imperative mandate. Their position on all issues was clearly regulated by the voters' instruction. After the deputy returned from a meeting, he was obliged to report to his electorate.

Local Meetings

In certain regions of the country (Flanders, Provence) at the end of the XIII century. Local class assemblies begin to be formed. At first they were called consiliums, parliaments or simply representatives of the three classes. However, in the fifteenth century, the term "states" was firmly entrenched behind them. By this time they already existed in almost all provinces. And in the XVI century the term "states" began to add the word "provincial". The peasantry in the assembly was not allowed. Kings often opposed certain regional states when they were under the undue influence of the local feudal aristocracy. For example, in Languedoc, Normandy, and others.

The reasons for the loss by the General States of their importance

General states were created in conditions when the powers of the big feudal lords were not much less than the authority of the king himself. The meeting was a convenient counterbalance to local rulers. At that time, they had their own armies, minted their own coins and depended little on the Crown. However, the royal power grew stronger over time. French monarchs gradually increased their influence, building a centralized vertical.

In the XV century on the basis of the royal curia the Grand Council was created, which included legists, as well as 24 higher representatives of the spiritual and secular nobility. He met every month, but the decisions were of a recommendatory nature. In the same century, a lieutenant-general appeared. They were appointed by the king from the representatives of the highest nobility for the management of provinces or groups of bards. Centralization also touched cities. Kings were given the opportunity to restrict citizens in various rights, to change previously issued charters.

The Crown also carried out a unification of the judicial system. This made it possible to reduce the influence of the clergy. Even more strengthened the royal power to collect a permanent tax. Charles VII organized a regular army with a clear hierarchy of subordination and centralized leadership. And this led to the fact that medieval France became less dependent on the big feudal lords.

In all regions there were permanent garrisons and military formations. They had to stop any disobedience and speeches of local feudal lords. The influence on the state affairs of the Paris Parliament has significantly increased. The Crown also established the Council of Notables, in which only the highest representatives of the classes (except the peasantry) sat. With his consent, it was possible to introduce new taxes. As a result of the strengthening of royal power, the General States in France gradually lost their significance.