Assembly, National

(France), a body set up in France on the eve of the Revolution. Upon the convocation of the States-General by Louis XVI the privileged nobles and clergy refused to deliberate in the same chamber with the commons or tiers-état (third estate). The latter, therefore, on the proposition of the Abbé Siéyès, constituted themselves an a emblée nation ale , with legislative powers (17th June, 1789). They bound themselves by oath not to separate until they had furnished France with a constitution, and the Court was compelled to give its a ent. In the 3250 decrees pa ed by the A embly were laid the foundations of a new epoch, and, having accomplished this task, it di olved itself, 30th Sept., 1791.