The Six Strict Social Classes In Elizabethan England

Imagine being born into the Elizabethan Era where your social class is already determined for you and you cannot switch classes ever. This is the case during the Shakespearean era. There were six total social classes of Elizabethan England. The social class system listed in order from highest to lowest is; Monarch, Nobility, Gentry, Merchants, Yeomanry, and Laborers. Depending on which class you were in this would affect your living conditions, authority, wealth, work, lifestyle and religion. There were also many cultural differences among the social classes during Elizabethan times.

These changes affected several lives during the 16th century. These classes include peasants, serfs, farmers, craftsmen, knights, nobles, merchants, gentries, courtiers, nobles, and royalty. During the sixteenth century, the King was at the top of the English social hierarchy. Royalty included emperors, empresses, kings, and queens.

During the Elizabethan era in England, there were four main social classes: the nobles, the gentry, the yeomen, and the poor (Lace 42).

The best class to be in was the gentry because they were the richest of the rich. The people that made up the gentry included plantation owners (the Tidewater), merchants/business owners, ministers, royal officials, successful lawyers and wealthy artisans, such as goldsmiths. The gentry owned most of the land, were very powerful, were the most likely to hold office, and the men had the right to vote.

The meaning of colors and materials were the main rules set by the Sumptuary laws. Elizabethan England was divided into three social classes. The upper class included the monarch, nobility,

Specifically, the six social classes during the 16th century in England were Monarchy, Nobility, Gentry,

Theoretically, the Three Estate system represented the natural order of society (not surprisingly, this societal structure mirrored the hierarchy espoused by the Catholic Church ) and was seen as absolute: "in it [the Three Estate system], all individuals should unquestioningly accept their inherited occupation and place" (Aers 14). Subjects were to view the Estates system as a communal safety net where, when working together, all elements of society benefited and prospered: "massive differences in power, access to resources, and status were allegedly in everyone's interest, the 'common profit'" (Aers 14). Regardless of the nature of the system, lower class people were encouraged to see the Estates structure necessary to avoid chaos and to ensure the overall prosperity (Introduction to Sociology). However, Chaucer himself represents a paradox to this system. How does one categorize secular individuals who neither work "to sustain the basic life processes of the community (the lowest estate)," nor, "defend the community (the knightly estate)?" According to Micro History and World Timeline (2008), by the late 1300s, a new social class was taking shape: it was the

• Class system, those that were upper class or a minister received better land and status in community.

The social class for the Elizabethan Era was unique because of the different ways it was set up than from today. This social class has a very different type of hierarchy than any other social class that was ever made. Even though this social class was unique, it still needed the opportunity for improving the flaws. Certain levels of hierarchy needed a possibility for demotion for their class to move up in the rankings so they can get treated and respected better. The lower levels of the social classes didn’t have the best ways of living and suffered cruelty. The social class in the Elizabethan Era had a different type of hierarchy than we do today, the social class had the opportunity for improvement, and the possibility of demotion of the social class; therefore the social class could have had a revolution or change in the system.

Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She ¿˘claimed the throne of England at the of age 25 through the years (1558-1603).Elizabeth I marked one of the highest milestones in english monarch history. She became the first queen in european history to rule a state/country without a male companion. However because this was new idea and it didn't follow the bible directly, it stirred up many controversial opinions amongst the people of England during the 16th-17th century. Near the beginning of her reign a majority of people had the idea that a women should not hold such high power; However as time went on many individuals changed their minds about the idea of a female heir .

The following class, which was by far the largest, was the middle class. (Population and Social Rank) This included owners of small stores and businesses, small farmers, and craftsmen. (1727: Colonial America) They were mostly educated, and lived successful lives. They also had very high moral standards and some were deeply religious. (Population and Social Rank) Most middle class men could vote, but few held public office, as the gentry used their wealth and influence for political control. Middle class women ran self-sufficient households, and made their own clothes, candles, cheese and soap. Few were educated. (1727: Colonial America)

Socially, the society depended on a rather strict division between nobles and free commoners, both of which were themselves divided into elaborate hierarchies of social status, responsibilities, and power. Economically

Social classes play a major role in society and shape the roles of the people. Since the Elizabethan period began, the social classes were well structured with many influences, such as prestige or wealth. Many citizens found ways to elevate their status and become more successful citizens in the public. The social class structure in the Elizabethan Era was thought to be strict and very well organized, yet still had many opportunities and flaws which lead to changes in citizens’ lives.

During the Anglo-Norman time period there was not a chance for people to truly move through the social classes. Everyone was in their set class that they were born into and were not able

Below the middle class was the trade class, which included merchants and craftsmen. Men involved with retail would travel great distances to achieve authority and power over certain trade routes (“Middle Ages: The Medieval Social Classes”). The trade class hugely impacted the towns and the people because their income and trading skills helped to stabilize the economy. Peasants and the middle class often disagreed with the work of the merchants because the priests and the bishops were highly against it. They believed