Estates General (France)
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In France under the ancien régime, the Estates General or States-General was a legislative and consultative assembly of the different classes of French subjects. It had a separate assembly for each of
Opening of the Estates General on 5 May 1789 in the Grands Salles des Menus-Plaisirs in Versailles
Caricature from 1789 with the Third Estate carrying the First Estate and Second Estate on its back
Tennis Court Oath
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The Tennis Court Oath was taken on 20 June 1789 by the members of the French Third Estate in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. Their vow "not to separate and to reassemb
Estates General (France)
…to resist. When he shut down the Salle des États where the Assembly met, the Assembly moved its deliberations to a nearby tennis court. They swore the Tennis Court Oath (20 June 1789), under which they agreed not to separate until they had given France a constitution. A majority of the representatives of the clergy…
Drawing by Jacques-Louis David of the Tennis Court Oath.
The deputies of the third estate meeting in the tennis court, swearing not to disperse until a constitution is assured.
Etching by Helman after C. Monnet, “Serment du Jeu de Paume à Versailles” on 20 June 1789