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Social Status In The Elizabethan Era

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Social Classes in the Elizabethan Era Throughout the ages, England has maintained its culture such as its prevalence of monarchical regime, however, as time marched on a cultural aspect of England has disappeared, social status. Social status is defined as a person's standing or importance in relation to other people within a society. As a result of status one’s lifestyle was predetermined, however, more opportunities were provided for the impoverished classes during the Elizabethan time period. The Elizabethan era refers to the English history of Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) when England prospered and is considered to be the time of the English Renaissance. However, due to one’s standing in society, those who were wealthy thrived …show more content…

“Peasants or Serfs had to labor on the lord's land for two or three days each week, and at specially busy seasons, such as ploughing and harvesting. The life of a Knight during the Middle ages centred around castles or Manors or fighting for his lord and the King during times of war. The life of Lords and Nobles centred around their castles or Manors or fighting for their liege lord or King during times of war” (Medieval Life). In the Elizabethan era, status was significant to their time period, this is shown by each class’ distinct ways of living. “Medieval Life was dictated by wealth, power and status and the feudal system. The Feudal System was sustained by the rights and privileges given to the Upper Classes and in most cases enacted by laws. The high ranking nobles lived in castles with their knights, ladies and retinues. Others enjoyed their life on their manors. The peasants, including serfs, freeman and villeins spent their life on a manor or surrounding village life” ( Medieval Life ). Therefore, those who were wealthy lived a comfortable, privileged life while those unfortunate to not have this honor lived a life of work and poverty. Also, since wealth determined class, fortune did not smile upon those who couldn’t afford to own a lavish residence, …show more content…

The Council took care of routine administration which involved matters of religion, military, the queen’s security, economics, and the welfare of the citizens.... A group of representatives called Parliament was divided into two sections. The House of Lords or the Upper House consisted of bishops and aristocrats. The House of Commons or the Lower House consisted of common people. The main function of Parliament at this time in history was to deal with financial matters such as taxation and granting the queen money” (Elizabethan Era). Nobility in the Privy Council possessed more power than lords and the common people of Parliament; the Privy Council gave advice to the queen and dealt with a plethora of matters while Parliament dealt with financial affairs. In conclusion, a large majority of people in government positions were nobility, with the queen having the most power and the Privy Council and Parliament providing assistance with matters concerning the ruling of

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