T3: Structure of society- social hierarchy Flashcards
what percentage of the population did the nobility and gentry make up in the 17th century?
2%
how much land and wealth did the nobility own?
15%
how much land and wealth did the gentry own?
50%
how did the Civil Affect the nobility?
- some lost land, property and titles during the CW, but many regained in Restoration
- House of Lords abolished by Rump 1649, but they still retained influence. HofL restored 1660
since when had the nobility been declining?
1590s
why were the nobility declining?
- inflation
- high levels of spending expected of the aristocracy
why did the nobility have to spend so much?
- maintaining large estates
- paying for servants
- having guests
etc
when did the nobility take the biggest hit to their social position?
during the Civil war and Interregnum
what does it mean to be part of the ‘nobility’?
highest status below the monarch.
have titles that have been in family for generations.
held much land and property.
evidence that the position of the nobility stayed the same in the 17th century?
- still highest status
- some lost titles, land and property in CW + Interregnum, but many regained in Restoration
- still retained local power and influence in Interregnum as the Rump needed them to rule
- many still comfortable despite costs
example of nobility still being comfortable in the 17th century?
the Marquis of Newcastle could donate £900,000 to the royalist cause in 1642.
overall, how did the status of the nobility change in the 17th century?
stayed the same/ declined slightly
how many gentry were there in the 17th century?
15,000
evidence that shows a rise in the gentry in the 17th century?
- increased political participation of the gentry- increasingly dominated. this was because younger sons of the gentry would often enter law, which could lead to being an MP or Privy Councillor.
examples of gentry in politics
Thomas Wentworth, Oliver Cromwell, John Pym, George Monck.
Gentry ran the country in the Civil War in the House of Commons and various committees. New opportunities were created with the abolition of the House of Lords.
evidence that shows that the gentry remained the same in the 17th century?
most members lived as they always had done - within a few miles of their manor house, perhaps taking an interest in local affairs but not in national events. Lesser gentry even in decline.
overall, how did the status of the gentry change in the 17th century?
improved
why was there an increase in the number of merchants in the 17th century?
due to urbanisation and the growth of trade
stat for number of merchants?
in London, Liverpool and Bristol it is estimated that 64,000 merchants were trading in 1688, compared to 30,000 in 1580
how were merchants viewed by the gentry?
looked down on- seen as ‘new money’ and not owning land
when and why did London witness a consumer boom?
after 1650 due to improved trading conditions after Navigation Act 1651 (restricted use of foreign ships trading in England) and the Navigation Act 1661 (listed a number of goods that could only be shipped on English ships)
when were the 2 Navigation Acts?
1651 and 1660
what did the first Navigation Act do?
restricted the use of foreign ships to trade in England
what did the second Navigation Act do?
listed a number of goods that could only be traded on English ships
what links existed between the merchants and the gentry?
- some merchants were the younger sons of the gentry
- others married into gentry families
- some became wealthy enough that they could buy land and become gentry themselves
what kind of influence did merchants have?
many wealthier merchants held positions of similar influence in towns as gentry in the countryside did e.g. as mayors
for what did many merchants receive knighthoods?
for commercial success or public service, rather than family background
what happened to the number of professionals in this period, why?
rose. a result of improved standards of living of the gentry and merchants - could now pay for these services
what kins of jobs are ‘professionals’?
doctors, lawyers, bankers, academics
stat for number of professionals?
the records of Gray’s Inn (the largest Inn’s of Court for lawyers) show membership increased from 120 barristers in 1574 to more than 200 in 1619
evidence to show that the position of professionals and merchants did not change?
- merchants looked down upon
- many from or related to gentry families - at the Inner Temple Inn’s of Court, 90% of the 1,700 admissions 1600-1640 were sons of nobility or gentry
- educational opportunities remained closed to most yeomen and women
overall, how did the status of merchants and professionals change in the 17th century?
improved
how did the status of the monarchy change in the 17th century?
plummeted in CW + Interregnum (became non-existent) but pretty much recovered in 1660, although with new restrictions
how did the status of the poor change in the 17th century?
improved only slightly
overall, how much change was there in the order of hierarchy 1625-88?
very little!
- consistent rise in status and wealth of an emerging middle class
- significant change during the CW + Interregnum, though not long-lasting
