english society in the late 15th century pt2

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Chapter 4: English Society at the end of the 15th century, regional divisions, social discontent and rebellions: 

4.5, Regional Divisions: 

  • Although relativley small and politically relatively unified, there were some divisions
  • Some divisions arose because of differences in agriculture. A line drawn from the mouth of the Tees to Weymouth in Dorset would reveal the extent of these contrasts. 
  • About 3/4 of the population lived below this line which divided the country into two basic agricultural areas. 
  • South and East of that line, mixed farming predominated especially in the more densley populated counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent. 
  • In the more sparsely populated areas North and west of the line, pastoral farming predominated, rearing sheep, horses and cattle. 
  • However ,there were some exceptions to this division. In the wood pastures of Kent and Sussex Weald and the Fens, pastoral farming dominated.
  • In Herefordshire and the Welsh border counties, grain farming and fruit growing was more common. 
  • Londoners tended to look down on the Northerners for their percieved savagery, while northerners were often envious of southern riches. 
  • Regional identity was reinforced by local government structures. Justice was incresingly administered at a county level and

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