Notables

Notables, the name formerly given in France to persons of distinction and political importance. As the States-general were inconvenient to the despotism of the monarchy, the kings of the House of Valois adopted the expedient of calling in their stead Assemblies of the Notables, the time of calling them and the composition of them being entirely dependent on the pleasure of the crown. For more than a century and a half even this poor acknowledgment of any other mind or will in the nation than that of the sovereign ceased to be made; but when the state of the finances brought the monarchy into difficulties and perils Louis XVI., at the instigation of the minister Calonne, had recourse again to an Assembly of Notables, which met 22d February 1787, and was dissolved 25th May. It consisted of 137 members, among whom were seven princes of the blood, nine dukes and peers, eight marshals, eleven archbishops, twenty-two nobles, eight councillors of state, four masters of requests, thirty-seven judges, twelve deputies of the Pays d'États, the civil lieutenant, and twenty-five persons belonging to the magistracy of different cities. See LOUIS XVI., NECKER, FRANCE.