Rich, Middling And Poor Flashcards
Elizabethan society was hierarchical. What does this mean?
This means that the gentry, who owned land, were the privileged few, but the majority were the ones who worked on the land
During Elizabeth’s reign the rich became _________ and the poor became __________.
During Elizabeth’s reign the rich became richer and the poor became poorer.
How could people move up the hierarchy?
A skilled craftsman or trader could make some money and buy some land
The gentry made up 2% of the population but owned ________ of the land in England.
The gentry made up 2% of the population but owned 50% of the land in England.
As well as money what did the gentry have?
Political power, as JPs and MPs
How did the gentry display their wealth?
They built magnificent country houses, such as Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. These houses had huge glazed windows, tall decorated chimneys, ornate fireplaces and decorative oak panelling.
What was the diet of the wealthy like?
They had plenty of food supplied by the farms, gardens and chars that surrounded the house. They could afford fine wines and luxury foods from Europe.
In the towns the middling sort were…
Tradesmen and craftsmen who owned their own businesses. They were poorer than merchants but wealthier than labourers.
In the country the middling sort were…
Yeomen and husbandmen who farmed land of their own. They were not as wealthy as the gentry but were more comfortable than the labouring poor.
What was a yeoman’s house like?
A yeoman’s house has 5-10 rooms separated between upstairs and downstairs. Children and servants slept upstairs and there were sometimes service buildings (e.g. a dairy) attached to the house. The houses had chimneys, ceilings and glass windows.
What did the middling sort eat?
- Meat (beef, mutton and pork), which they reared on their own land
- Bread
- Drank beer and mead, rather than wine
What were the hoses of the labouring poor like?
Houses were small, dark and smoky. They usually had two rooms and a bare earth floor. There were no upper rooms, chimneys or glass. Smoke escaped through a thatch.
What were the diets of the labouring poor like?
Bad harvests led to starvation. Many ate bread made from rye, which was cheaper than wheat. Pottage, a thick soup, was the usual meal. Limited and unvaried diets.
Elizabethan society was hierarchical. What does this mean?
This means that the gentry, who owned land, were the privileged few, but the majority were the ones who worked on the land
During Elizabeth’s reign the rich became _________ and the poor became __________.
During Elizabeth’s reign the rich became richer and the poor became poorer.
