Although the Catholic Church in France owned nearly 10% of all land, as well as receiving annual tithes paid by peasants, three-quarters of the 303 clergy elected were parish priests, many of whom earned less than unskilled labourers and had more in common with their poor parishioners than with the bishops of the first estate.
although the catholic church in france owned nearly 10% of all land as well as receiving annual tithes paid by peasants three-quarters of the 303 clergy elected were parish priests many of whom earned less than unskilled labourers and had more in common with their poor parishioners than with the bishops of the first estate