How did the ruling class view the current state of affairs in their country?

The ruling class of both France and England believed their rule to be without question.... they saw no threat and believed that business would go forward as usual.

There were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of France. In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State preserves of loaves and fishes, that things in general were settled for ever.