Question

what is the estate general

Answer 1

In France under the Old Regime, the Estates General or States-General was a legislative and consultative assembly of the different classes of French subjects. 

Answer 2

In France under the Old Regime, the Estates General (French: États généraux) or States-General was a legislative and consultative assembly of the different classes of French subjects. It had a separate assembly for each of the three estates, which were called and dismissed by the king.