Estamental

Estamental refers to a social system organized into distinct, hereditary groups called estates. These estates typically had different rights, obligations, and social statuses. In pre-modern European societies, the most common division was into three estates: the clergy (those who prayed), the nobility (those who fought), and the commoners (those who worked).

Membership in an estate was largely determined by birth, though exceptions could exist, such as entering the clergy. Each estate played a specific role in society and was subject to different laws and privileges. The nobility, for instance, often held land and enjoyed tax exemptions, while the clergy possessed spiritual authority and significant landholdings. The vast majority of the population belonged to the third estate, which bore the brunt of taxation and labor.

The estamental system was characterized by a lack of social mobility, meaning it was difficult to move from one estate to another. This rigid structure influenced political power, economic activity, and daily life. While the concept of estates was prevalent in medieval and early modern Europe, it gradually eroded with the rise of capitalism, industrialization, and democratic ideals, leading to more fluid social class systems. The term "estamental" is therefore primarily used to describe these historical social divisions.