The changing structure of socitety
- Created by: Tori
- Created on: 22-04-20 12:08
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- The Changing Structure of Society
- The nobility's place in the political life of the country
- The political class made up no more than 5% of the population.
- Economic wealth, mainly based on land ownership, was the base of the political classes influence.
- Gave them social and political power.
- They controlled 70% of the land, and used that to control the whole country.
- Gave them social and political power.
- The majority of the population were excluded from political power..
- Ownership of land gave people access to political power.
- At the top of the political structure was the king, followed by the nobility and the gentry.
- Nobility was a tiny part of the political elite.
- In 1633, the English nobility numbered only 122.
- Nobility was a tiny part of the political elite.
- The power of the nobility
- Nobility got their power based on that fact they owned the majority of the land.
- Influence was thus linked to food prices and rent rates.
- As large land owners, they generally benefitted from the long period of inflation.
- Increased food prices and rent, so more money goes to the nobility.
- By 1688 the power of some of the nobility and upper gentry was beginning to extend from landholding.
- Began to include trade, finance, rent and manufacturing
- They establish town houses or London residences as well as their country seats.
- It was not always the case that the nobility had large annual incomes.
- The fortunes of several noble families had declined over time.
- Some had an annual income of as little as £200 a year.
- The fortunes of several noble families had declined over time.
- Under the Tudors, the nobility had enjoyed substancial political power, unchallenged by other classes.
- However, in 1625-88 their power gradually decreased.
- For example:
- Noble economic power was being challenged by the new commercial and merchant class in London and provincial towns.
- Most the nobility sided with the King during the civil war.
- Thus, many lost money and land which were taken by the republic.
- The republicans abloshed the House of Lords in 1649, and it was only revived with the Convention Parliament of 1660.
- For example:
- However, in 1625-88 their power gradually decreased.
- Nobility got their power based on that fact they owned the majority of the land.
- The changing gentry class
- The gentry were a significant group within the political elite.
- Most of the gentry were substancial landowners, but there were also newer groups.
- Eg. Lawyers, docters, clergy, musicians, architects and merchants.
- These new groups didn't reply on land for income.
- Over time these professionals used their aquired wealth to purchase land for their families.
- Wanted to become part of the landed gentry.
- Most of the gentry were substancial landowners, but there were also newer groups.
- Between 1625-88 the gentry became the largest social group attending universities and the Inns of Court where they studied law.
- As they became more educated, especially in farming techiniques, they began to farm themselves.
- They worked to improve the quality of their land.
- Mainly through drainage and land reclamation.
- They were keen to maximise their profits from the land.
- Wanted to use their increased income for investment in industried and trading concerns.
- They worked to improve the quality of their land.
- As they became more educated, especially in farming techiniques, they began to farm themselves.
- Under the Stuarts, the gentry class as a whole enhanced their social standing, personal wealth and education levels.
- This increased their political confidence.
- Reflected in the fact that a number of parliament members, eg Hampden, Pym and Cromwell, were all from the gentry.
- This increased their political confidence.
- The gentry were a significant group within the political elite.
- The nobility's place in the political life of the country
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