How were the states general in France organized?

The Estates General is the main representative body of estates in medieval France. It was an advisory body and was convened at the most critical moments for the country. Three estates sat there – the townspeople, the clergy and the nobility. The forerunner of the States General was the royal council. At first, the main function was to determine new taxes and set quotas for existing ones, so this body was convened mainly when the treasury did not have enough money during wars and other shocks.