During the Middle Ages, merchants were not actually a formally recognized estate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formal recognized estates during the Middle Ages were the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners (peasants and artisans). Merchants were considered part of the commoners estate. During the Middle Ages, there were three recognized estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners (which included peasants and craftsmen). Merchants fell under the category of commoners, but they were not officially recognized as a separate estate.

During the Middle Ages, Merchants Were Not Actually a Formally