The Social Hierarchy of Prussia: Nobility, Clergy, Bourgeoisie, Peasantry, and Jews

Estate-Based Society (Ständegesellschaft)

1. Nobility (Adel) – Highest estate; tax-exempt, land-owning, monopolized high military/civil posts. Divided into high nobility (princes, counts, barons) and lower nobility (knights, squires).
2. Clergy (Klerus) – Second estate; managed religion, education, charity. Split into secular (bishops, priests) and regular (monks, nuns) clergy.
3. Bourgeoisie (Bürgertum) – Third estate; merchants, artisans, professionals. Growing economic influence in the 18th century.
4. Peasantry (Bauern) – Lowest estate; largely serfs bound to the land, subject to heavy dues, no freedom of movement or occupation.
5. Jews – Legally distinct minority; excluded from land ownership, public office, guilds, and intermarriage with Christians until 19th-century emancipation edicts.

This rigid hierarchy persisted until the Stein-Hardenberg reforms (early 1800s) began dismantling it.