General Council of Estates

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General Council of Estates [S]. The General Council was a meeting of the three estates with smaller membership than that of a parliament and with no judicial powers. It was often an emergency session when circumstances did not permit summoning a full parliament, which required 40 days' notice. Consequently the General Council was frequently not much more than the Privy Council, augmented by commissioners who were available. Later the term Convention of Estates was more commonly used.

J. A. Cannon

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General Council of Estates

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