Key Historical Terms: Absolutism to Enlightenment

Essential Concepts in Early Modern European History

Estate Society Defined

A society divided into estates, which were rigid social compartments where individuals were born and found it extremely difficult to escape. Traditionally, there were three estates: the nobility, the clergy, and the people (also known as the commons or Third Estate). Each estate was subject to distinct laws and privileges.

The Guild System

A system of work organization that brought together all individuals working in the same trade or industry, such as silversmiths, gunsmiths, potters, and weavers. Members were subjected to common rules and regulations governing their craft.

Understanding the Señorío

In historical contexts, a Señorío refers to the entire landholding of a lord, typically formed by the demesne (lands directly managed by the lord) and the lands held by peasants (the 'meek' or dependent tenants).

Señorío Court & Jurisdiction

A right granted by the king to nobles, particularly from the twelfth century onwards. It allowed the lord to exercise jurisdiction over their properties and, in some cases, over free (allodial) lands. This court enabled the lord to exercise public powers, including the administration of justice, municipal management, and public policy within their domain.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Philosophy

An influential eighteenth-century Swiss writer and philosopher. Rousseau famously defended the concept of the social contract as a pact between all citizens, from which the idea of national sovereignty emerges.

Linked Property Explained

Linked property refers to land that could not be considered private property in the modern sense, as it was permanently tied or "linked" to an institution such as a peerage, the Church, a municipality, or the Crown. This meant it could not be freely bought, sold, or divided.

Montesquieu & Separation of Powers

An influential eighteenth-century French philosopher and writer. Montesquieu formulated the seminal theory of the separation of powers, dividing governmental authority into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with particular emphasis on the independence of the judiciary.

Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy

A form of government where the monarch's power is limited by a constitution and a parliament. Unlike an absolute monarchy, the sovereign's authority is constrained by law and representative bodies.

Mercantilism: Economic Theory

An economic theory prevalent from the 16th to the 18th centuries, which posited that a state's wealth and power were directly proportional to its accumulation of precious metals, particularly gold and silver. This often led to policies promoting exports and restricting imports.

Early Manufacturing Systems

Refers to a system of manual labor, often performed by hand or with the aid of simple machines. The term also applied to subsidized establishments, frequently state-sponsored, where luxury items were elaborately produced.

Louis XIV: The Sun King

Known as the "Sun King," Louis XIV ruled France as an absolute monarch from 1643 to 1715. He was deeply convinced of the divine origin of his power, embodying the peak of French absolutism.

Understanding Tithing

Tithing refers to the historical obligation to give a tenth of one's agricultural produce or income to the Church. This practice was intended to ensure the maintenance of religious worship and the clergy.

The Manorial Economy

An economic system, prevalent in medieval Europe, where lords (gentlemen) held jurisdiction over their lands and the laborers who cultivated them. Peasants were granted the right to cultivate land in exchange for labor, rent, and other services to the lord.

Colonial Trade & Exploitation

A system of economic exploitation where colonies were compelled to sell cheap raw materials to the colonizing metropolis and, in turn, buy manufactured goods from the metropolis at higher prices. This system primarily benefited the imperial power.