t the same time, there was a power struggle between the Orleans and the Burgundy. It is no wonder that the kings preferred to promote people from the lower classes, mainly from the moneyed bourgeoisie, as they were more loyal than the aristocracy. They had no territorial base, neither had they family connections, so they had to rely on the king's protection. The old aristocracy did not like it, to say the least. The Duke of St.Simon of France wrote in his memoirs "it has been a century of the vile bourgeoisie". He referred to the rule of Louis XIV. The Duke of St.Simon was not exactly of the old nobility; at least not in that rank. His father was the first in the family who joined the peerage of France, but he was not the only one. There were other nobles who themselves were descendants from the 'vile bourgeoisie" and they resented the intrusion of the new addition to the rank of the aristocracy just like those who could trace their origins to the time of St. Louis. Human nature was identical and learning to be exclusive was an easy lesson to learn. In practice it did not matter much, where and when the aristocrats originated from. At any given time, there were aristocrats and they were jealous of their privileges. It is estimated that in the 18th century there were not many aristocrats whose origin went beyond the 15th century. To be an aristocrat at that time was a hazardous profession. There were the religious wars, civil wars, external wars, etc., so aristocratic families could easier come ...
