Social classes in the Elizabethan era were quite different than those we have today. These days we have a few generic classes that everyone gets grouped into. Back then, there were many diverse classes that you were basically born into. During this period, the main classes that people were separated into were The Monarch, Nobility, Gentry, Merchant, Yeomanry, and Laborers.
The higher classes that ruled over the lower classes were The Monarch, Nobility, and Gentry. The Monarch was the ruler of the land. The Monarch is the Elizabethan equivalent of our Executive and Judicial Branches of government. The Monarch at the time of the Elizabethan Era was Queen Elizabeth I. (Hence “Elizabethan” Era) Queen Elizabeth was considered the greatest Monarch in the entire history of England. She ruled the Elizabethan era for 45 years and during this time was the height of the English Renaissance and the time of the development of English poetry and literature. The Nobility class was a smaller class filled with knights and noblemen. During Shakespeare’s time, there were only 55 noble families. At the head of each family was a duke, baron, or earl. They were basically the ruler of the family. Noble titles were hereditary, passing from father to eldest son. There were few crimes one could commit to lose a noble title. Treason was one of those crimes. Gentrys were the gentlemen and gentlewomen that did not work with their hands for a living. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign, this class grew and became the most important social class in England. Wealth was the key to becoming a part of the gentry class. This class was made of people not born of noble birth who by acquiring large amounts of property became wealthy landowners. The rise of the gentry was the dominant feature of Elizabethan society. They essentially changed things, which launched out new paths whether at home or overseas, provided leadership and spirit of the age, who gave it character and did its work during this era. Some famous members of the Gentry class were Sir Francis Drake, the famous explorer, and Sir Walter Raleigh, who led the way to English colonization of America. Parliament was made up of mostly Gentry classmen.
The middle classes that were just there were the Merchants and Yeomanry. The Elizabethan era saw the rise of modern commerce with cloth and weaving leading the way. Prices for imported everyday goods increased as the merchants gained a monopoly on the sales of all goods if it would benefit the country. It really benefited the merchants’ pockets. The Yeomanry class were the “middling” class who had enough wealth to live comfortably, but were just one step away from poverty, be it by bad luck or sickness. They were the farmers and craft workers of England. Some of the members of the Yeomanry class had wealth that surpassed that even of the Gentry. They just spent their money differently. They expanded their land and improve using their wealth.
The bottom of the pile were the Laborers. Artisans, shoemakers, carpenters, brick masons and all those who worked with their hands belonged to this class of society. There were also the beggars in this class. Under Queen Elizabeth I, the government created laws to assist the poor. This was the world’s first form of welfare.
The Elizabethan Era had quite distinct social classes. There were the top of society, The Monarch, Nobility, and Gentry. Then the middle classes Merchants and Yeomanry. And finally, the rock bottom of social classes, the Laborers. Compared to today’s classes, there isn’t a huge difference. We have the upper class of the rich people. The middle class with the majority of people in it, and the beggars and homeless that scrounge for money.
Works cited: http://thelostcolony.org/education/elizabethan-era/
The higher classes that ruled over the lower classes were The Monarch, Nobility, and Gentry. The Monarch was the ruler of the land. The Monarch is the Elizabethan equivalent of our Executive and Judicial Branches of government. The Monarch at the time of the Elizabethan Era was Queen Elizabeth I. (Hence “Elizabethan” Era) Queen Elizabeth was considered the greatest Monarch in the entire history of England. She ruled the Elizabethan era for 45 years and during this time was the height of the English Renaissance and the time of the development of English poetry and literature. The Nobility class was a smaller class filled with knights and noblemen. During Shakespeare’s time, there were only 55 noble families. At the head of each family was a duke, baron, or earl. They were basically the ruler of the family. Noble titles were hereditary, passing from father to eldest son. There were few crimes one could commit to lose a noble title. Treason was one of those crimes. Gentrys were the gentlemen and gentlewomen that did not work with their hands for a living. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign, this class grew and became the most important social class in England. Wealth was the key to becoming a part of the gentry class. This class was made of people not born of noble birth who by acquiring large amounts of property became wealthy landowners. The rise of the gentry was the dominant feature of Elizabethan society. They essentially changed things, which launched out new paths whether at home or overseas, provided leadership and spirit of the age, who gave it character and did its work during this era. Some famous members of the Gentry class were Sir Francis Drake, the famous explorer, and Sir Walter Raleigh, who led the way to English colonization of America. Parliament was made up of mostly Gentry classmen.
The middle classes that were just there were the Merchants and Yeomanry. The Elizabethan era saw the rise of modern commerce with cloth and weaving leading the way. Prices for imported everyday goods increased as the merchants gained a monopoly on the sales of all goods if it would benefit the country. It really benefited the merchants’ pockets. The Yeomanry class were the “middling” class who had enough wealth to live comfortably, but were just one step away from poverty, be it by bad luck or sickness. They were the farmers and craft workers of England. Some of the members of the Yeomanry class had wealth that surpassed that even of the Gentry. They just spent their money differently. They expanded their land and improve using their wealth.
The bottom of the pile were the Laborers. Artisans, shoemakers, carpenters, brick masons and all those who worked with their hands belonged to this class of society. There were also the beggars in this class. Under Queen Elizabeth I, the government created laws to assist the poor. This was the world’s first form of welfare.
The Elizabethan Era had quite distinct social classes. There were the top of society, The Monarch, Nobility, and Gentry. Then the middle classes Merchants and Yeomanry. And finally, the rock bottom of social classes, the Laborers. Compared to today’s classes, there isn’t a huge difference. We have the upper class of the rich people. The middle class with the majority of people in it, and the beggars and homeless that scrounge for money.
Works cited: http://thelostcolony.org/education/elizabethan-era/