Society in Early Modern England


Social stratification


The following table is based on Laslett, P. The World We Have Lost - Further Explored. London: Routledge, 1983.

Estate
Grade
Title
(occupational titles within parentheses)



GENTRY
Nobility
Royalty
Duke
Archbishop
Marquess
Earl
Viscount
Baron
Bishop
Lord, Lady
Gentry
proper
Baronet 1611-
Knight

Sir, Dame
Esquire
Gentleman
Mr, Mrs

Professions
Army Officer, Government official, Lawyer,
Medical Doctor, Merchant, Clergyman, Teacher, etc.
(Captain, etc. Doctor, …(


NON-GENTRY


Yeoman
Merchant
Husbandman
Goodman, Goodwife

Craftsman
Tradesman
Artificer
(name of craft: Carpenter, etc.)
Labourer
Cottager
Pauper
none