The Rise of the Gentry and New Wealth Flashcards

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Who were the gentry in Elizabethan England?

The gentry were rich landowners below the nobility. They included knights, squires and gentlemen who owned large areas of land.

How were the gentry different from the nobility?

The nobility had titles like duke, marquess or earl and were at the top of society. The gentry were below them and had no great titles, but many were still very wealthy.

Why did the number of gentry grow during Elizabeth I’s reign?

The number grew because trade and farming made more people rich. Land from the Church and old nobles also became available to buy, so more people could become landowners.

How did the dissolution of the monasteries help the rise of the gentry?

When Henry VIII closed the monasteries, their lands were sold. Many gentry families bought this land, which greatly increased their wealth and power.

Give two ways gentry families gained new wealth in Elizabethan times.

Many gentry made money by improving farming, such as enclosing fields for sheep. Others invested in trade, cloth making or overseas voyages.

What important jobs did members of the gentry do in local government?

They often served as Justices of the Peace, sheriffs or Members of Parliament. In these roles they helped keep order and carry out the Queen’s laws in their counties.

How did the rise of the gentry change the look of the countryside?

Rich gentry families built large new country houses and laid out parks around them. They also enclosed fields, which changed the layout of farms and villages.

What was a "prodigy house" and why did gentry build them?

A prodigy house was a very large, grand country house with big windows and lots of glass. Gentry built them to show off their wealth and to impress important visitors, including the Queen.

How could successful merchants use new wealth to join the gentry?

Successful merchants used their profits to buy land in the countryside and build fine houses. They might also marry into gentry families, which helped them move up into the gentry class.

How did the rise of the gentry and new wealth affect poorer people?

Some poorer people lost access to common land when fields were enclosed and could no longer support themselves. This helped increase poverty and the number of homeless people who wandered from place to place.

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