Procedure.—On the meeting of Estates-General the three orders were summoned to a Royal Séance (Session), in which the reasons for the summons were given.
The orders then separated, and each order proceeded to draw up their general cahier apart. The three cahiers having then been presented to the King, the States-General was dismissed.
Powers.—The States-General were originally summoned not to discuss, but to hear the will of the King, and to present grievances.
These Petitions were of considerable value, for, although the States-General was dismissed without having received the answer of the King, the cahiers often furnished the basis for royal ordinances. At various dates the Estates-General attempted to gain the same powers as those finally secured by the English Parliament:
1. Frequent and regular Sessions.
2. That their petitions should be answered.
3. Control of taxation and of policy.
4. Appointment, or at least responsibility, of ministers.
But in spite of notable attempts, especially those of 1355–1358, 1484, 1561 ([p. 398]), 1576–7 ([p. 423]), 1588 ([p. 431]), the States-General failed in obtaining its object, and after 1614, ceased to be summoned until 1789.