Elizabethan Society

Remained under aristocratic domination during the reign of Elizabeth. After 1572, Elizabeth didn't create any more dukes.

Nobility more peaceable than earlier times. Other ranks of peerage sought to enhance their prestige through massive building projects. Houses such as Burghley and Wilton.

Gentry class increased and proportion who were seriously wealthy went up too.

Gap between rich and poor widened - 'rich became richer, poor became poorer'. Landed incomes increased, esp after 1570. Poorer sectors found themselves vulnerable to enclosure and persistent decline in real wages

By the end of…