Estates of the Realm

Estates of the Realm is a term denoting three estates — the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons in Great Britain. The term was used from the Middle ages to the early Modern Period.

The term "Three Estates" used differently denoting three different hierarchies in different countries in Europe. Such as, in France, the First Estate was the Clergy, the Second Estate was nobility and the Third Estate was commoners.

In 1771, Edmund Burke made a speech in the British Parliament and called the press as the Fourth Estate while pointing to the Reporter's Gallery.

Nevertheless, in latter usage we have different meanings of the Four Estates especially for a democratic country where these are understood and used to denote the Legislature, the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Press.

Nearby pages
Este, Este the town, Esterhazy, Esterhazy de Galantha, Esthonia