3.2 in what ways did the revolutionary event of the century effect the structure of society Flashcards
7 themes in what ways did the revolutionary event of the century effect the structure of society
power of nobility rise of gentry merchants professioanls status of women puritanism and women legal reforms
power of the nobility explained
declined in economic and political supremity
-economic delcine because rising expeditures and overheads
compromised of 2% of population
landowning class were of economic importance
tended to be commons MPs or lords
some though retained their strong position (eg Marquis of Newcastle contributed £900,000 to charles 1’s cause
power of gentry explained
as nobility declined, gentry rose as with other classes, gentry divided in ECW full of social mobility (Pym, Cromwell, Wentworth - became earl of strafford) gentry numbers increased significantly varied social group (around 15,000) being upper and lower classes of gentry small class compared to rest o pop but of the landowning made up 50% (rest owned by crown, church and nobility)
Gentry Controversy - who started and when
RH Tawney 1941
what is the gentry controversy
saw ECW and deposition of monarchy as product of the rise of the gentry and corresponding downfall of nobility
gentry controversy problem
assumes both groups experienced shared economic and political fortunes but recent research suggests this isnt true - was not uniform at all
Hugh Trevor-Roper & Lawrence Stone = thought different claiming gentry and nobility shared broad decline in economic fortunes but gentrified MPs in Commons formed political religious factions to oppose king = exploited his weaknesses to their advantages
debate over ‘corresponding rise of the gentry’ explained (brief what the problem is)
not a unified social group but certainly grew in numbers and influence but debate over how much this class grew in importance and influence...
arguments for the rise of the gentry, not being related to nobility shifts
-roper argued gentry became more important with their increased political roles
-showed in increased numbers in commons (but influence limited if still crowns prerogative to call parliament)
-sons of gentry often took degrees in law = influence increases with increased education
- but after personal rule charles had to turn to parliament and its gentrified MPs for support against the scots
-much of gentry took up parliaments cause against the king
importance measured by weakening of nobility and abolishing hofl during republic
arguments for the corresponding rise of the gentry being related to nobility (very short)
Tawney argued..
-it was all due to decline of nobility
urbanisation and growth of merchant classes
growth of london and english economy = growth of merchant and professional classes varied class (bankers to shipping owners) with wide range in wealth merchant numbers... 1580 = 34,000 1688 = 64,000 urban eqivalent to landed gentry found mostly in london and trading port towns (bristol, liverpool, east coast trading towns) navigation acts (from 1651) favourable to merchant classes less formal education but would sponsor/endow schools for sons of their own class
urbanisation and growth of professional classes
distinction between professionals and merchants tricky
professional roles reinforced and supported by merchants
-lawyers, bankers,education sevices…
-specially qualified individuals for a particular role
largely recruited from son of gentry but also from merchant class
-90% of law graduates at Inner Temple from gentry
-inns of court expanded membership rapidly in 17th century
growth of professional classes challenged the clergy career route
how status of women changed
17th century = few rights
deemed property of men (father until the married, then husband)
if unmarried = suspicious (majority of witch accusations were spinsters)
low status and low expectations of themselves = domestic / administrative work
could attend church but not speak
traditionally associated with gossip and nuisance making
ECW provided opportunities for many
-Lucy Hutchinson managed estate of husband who was a NMA colonel
-Mary banks defended Corfe Castle in absence of husband 1643-1646
impact of puritanism on women
women had to separate and sit silently from men
mainly affected poor, merchant and gentry classes
-puritan values made family central to puritan worship and education outside of the established church
=literacy for women
-dissenting groups = women often preaching
but no leap forward for rights
-quakers advocated separate education for women (only 4/15 schools founded allowed women)
-diggers advocated female suffrage
status and function of women didnt change under protectorate
what Lady Eleanor Davis did during ECW / Protectorate
criticised charles 1 and jailed 4 times
1633: found guilty of publishing books ‘circulating false prophecies’
fined £3,000 and jailed
her books were burnt by Laud
fervent anti-papist
jailed for vandalising altar at Litchfield Cathedral
what Elizabeth Lilburne did during ECW / Protectorate
petitioned for release of leveller leader and husband John
10,000 signed
she claimed men and women were equal before god therefore should be equal under law
petition rejected 1649
