Estates of Brittany

It gathered members of the high clergy, a large number of nobles and delegates from the 42 towns and cities of Brittany.

The Estates were founded in the Middle Ages by Arthur II, Duke of Brittany.

The marquise de Sévigné participated in its meetings at Rennes and Vitré between 1670 and 1690, writing: I did not want to see the opening, it was too early.

[1]Meetings were the opportunity for an intense nightlife, with banquets (paid for on the provincial budget) offering the chance to continue disputes begun at the daily sittings by competition in consumption, drinking and card games.

Conflicts arose in the late 17th century, leading to the uprising known as the Revolt of the papier timbré and later in the early 18th century when the Estates resisted the centralising measures of the king, leading to the Pontcallec Conspiracy, which was severely repressed by the monarchy.