ABSTRACT
In this chapter I consider Weber's understanding of mediaeval status groups, that is, estates as phenomena of the distribution of social power within the feudal social order in the West. In the first section of the chapter I briefly examine the meaning of Stand, in Weber's writings. I focus attention on the 'individual' ideal-type of Western feudalism in the second section. The third section investigates the Weberian thesis that 'social honour' and 'lack of social honour' represent the key objective criteria in the formation of estates in the feudal social order in the Occident. In the fourth section I assess Weber's views on seigneurial proprietorship. The fifth section concentrates on the Weberian thesis that social honour is normally connected with the respective estate's legally guaranteed and monopolized claim to sovereign rights. In the final section of the chapter I consider Weber's views on the possibilities for collective traditional action on the part of estate groups in the feudal social order.
