Introduction

The opening of the Estates General in Paris in 1614 illustrates the importance of rank and position in early modern French society. The Estates General was a national meeting of provincial deputies to ratify royal tax demands. Individuals identified themselves and their position in society in many ways, including whether the duties and obligations of their personal relationships had been fulfilled or not. Honourable behaviour was the observance of a code of ethics that helped to determine an individual’s social and self-identity. Honour was the inner feeling of self-worth that resulted from being known as someone who observed a code of ethics. The most widely accepted ethical code was that in Christianity. Public expressions of disrespect damaged an individual’s reputation, and had to be challenged or honour was lost.