changing structure of society

what was the nobility’s place in the political life of the country?

* the political class comprised no more than 5% of the population
* economic wealth, predominantly based on land ownership, was the root of the influence that the political classes held - giving them social and political power - their control of 70% of the land meant they controlled much of the country
* the majority of the population were excluded from political power - it was the ownership of land which entitled people to have access to political power
* at the head of the political structure was the monarch, followed by the nobility and the gentry.
* the nobility formed only a very small part of the political elite - in 1633 there was only 122 English nobility

where did the nobility hold their power and influence?

* the power of the nobility was based on their major landholding - therefore was linked to food prices and rent rates
* as large landowners - generally benefited from the long period of inflation - increased both food prices and rents
* by 1688 - some nobility were beginning to extend their power from landholding to encompass - trade, finance, rent and manufacturing - they established town houses or London residences as well as their country seats

did all nobility have large annual incomes?

* it was not always the case - the fortunes of several noble families had declined over time, with some having an annual income of as little as £200 a year

what changes was there in the years 1625-88?

* under the tudors, the nobility had substantial power which was unchallenged by other social classes.
* in the years 1625-88 there was a gradual decline in their power:
* noble economic power was being challenged by the new commercial and merchant class in London and provincial towns
* Most of the nobility sided with the king during the civil war - resulting with many losing money and land being confiscated by the republic
* the victorious republicans abolished the House of Lords in 1649 - only revived with the Convention Parliament of 1660

who were the gentry?

* a significant group within the political elite - most were substantial landowners - also newer groups such as lawyers and merchants whose wealth was based on non-landed income
* other professional who could be listed as non-landed gentry included:
* doctors
* clergy
* musicians
* architects
* over time many of these professionals used their acquired wealth to purchase land for there families to become landed gentry

how did education influence the gentry?

* in the years 1625-88 the gentry became the largest social group attending universities and the Inns of Court (to study law)
* as they became more educated -especially in farming techniques, they began to farm themselves and worked to improve the quality of their land - especially through drainage and land reclamation
* they were keen to maximise their profits from the land and to use their increased income for investment in industries and trading concerns.

what was the changes to the gentry in the Stuart era?

* under the Stuarts, the gentry class as a whole enhanced their social standing, personal wealth and educational attainment,
* this enhanced their political self-confidence, which was reflected in the fact that a number of leading parliamentarians, such as Hampden, Pam and Cromwell, were all from the gentry