Elizabeth Rise Of The Gentry

Question 1

What was the ‘Great Chain of Being’?

Answer 1

The structure of Elizabethan society

Question 2

What were the different levels within the Great Chain of Being?

Answer 2

• god
• Queen
• nobility - most powerful and wealthy, titles passed from father to son, held most senior positions like privy councillor
• gentry - often wealthy landowners
• peasantry - poorest members of society, farm labourers
• animals
• plants

Question 3

How did the idea of ‘the wealthy’ change during Elizabeth’s reign?

Answer 3

• before Elizabeth only nobles had wealth
• Elizabeth brought stability which meant people could make money from trade etc
• The gentry were wealthy people who had made their own money and took up important positions like Justices of the peace and members of parliament