Elizabethan England had four main classes: the Nobility, the Gentry, the Yeomanry, and the Poor. A person's class determined how they could dress, where they could live, and the kinds of jobs people and their children could get.
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A nobleman was rich and powerful and therefore during the reign of Elizabeth as well as the reigns of her father and grandfather Henry VIII and Henry VII,the monarch rarely appointed new nobles. They viewed the noble class as a threat to their power and liked to keep their numbers small. A person could become a noble either by birthright or by grant from the king or queen. Nobility could lose their fortune, but it took a high crime like treason to lose their title.
The gentry were knights, squires, gentlemen and gentlewomen whose fortunes were great enough that they did not have to work with their hands for a living. Their numbers grew rapidly, and became the most important class during Elizabethan time. They could start as a knight and through generations and marriages they could gradually build a wealth and title. Most of the important people of this time came from this class.
The Yeomanry were the ‘middleclass'. They could live comfortably with the little savings they built up, but at any moment, be it illness or famine, could lose everything. While the gentry spent their wealth building large homes, the yeomen used their wealth more simply and instead worked to expand their land and improve it.
At the bottom were the Poor who for some reason or another found themselves without money, food, or shelter. Because their numbers were increasing, the Poor Laws were passed to assist them. Any Poor person found guilty of being able to do an honest day's work but who chose not to, could be sentenced to death.
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Nobility:
- Characteristics: Nobles were affluent and influential individuals. Their wealth and power were often inherited or granted by the monarch.
- Appointment: During Elizabeth's reign and that of her predecessors, new nobles were seldom appointed. The monarchs perceived the noble class as a potential threat to their authority, leading to a deliberate effort to keep their numbers limited.
- Criteria for Nobility: One could achieve noble status either by birthright or by receiving a title from the reigning monarch. Losing one's fortune was possible, but losing the noble title typically required a severe offense like treason.
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Gentry:
- Composition: The gentry encompassed knights, squires, gentlemen, and gentlewomen. They were distinguished by their financial standing, allowing them to avoid manual labor.
- Social Importance: The gentry class experienced significant growth during the Elizabethan era, emerging as a crucial segment of society.
- Social Mobility: Individuals within the gentry could ascend from a knightly status, accumulating wealth and titles through generations and strategic marriages.
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Yeomanry:
- Middle Class: The yeomanry represented the middle class. They lived comfortably with accumulated savings, but their economic stability was susceptible to sudden challenges such as illness or famine.
- Wealth Utilization: Unlike the gentry, who invested in grand homes, yeomen focused on expanding and enhancing their land.
- Economic Vulnerability: Despite their relative comfort, the yeomanry faced the risk of losing everything in adverse circ*mstances.
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Poor:
- Social Stratum: The Poor constituted the lowest class, lacking financial resources, food, and shelter.
- Legislation: To address the increasing numbers of the poor, the authorities enacted Poor Laws. These laws aimed to provide assistance to those in need.
- Penalties: Poor individuals capable of work but unwilling to contribute could face severe consequences, including the possibility of a death sentence.
In conclusion, the social structure of Elizabethan England was stratified into distinct classes, each with its own characteristics, privileges, and challenges. The nobility, gentry, yeomanry, and the poor played crucial roles in shaping the dynamics of society during this captivating period in history.
