French la Plaine
In the French Revolution , the centrist deputies in the National Convention .
They formed the majority of the assembly's members and were essential to the passage of any measures. Their name derived from their place on the floor of the assembly; above them sat the members of the Mountain, or Montagnard . Led by Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès , the Plain initially voted with the moderate Girondin s but later joined the Montagnards in voting for the execution of Louis XVI . In 1794 they helped overthrow Maximilien de Robespierre and other extreme Jacobins (see Jacobin Club ).