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The Regency Social Ladder

The social ladder in the Regency was fixed and inflexible—and the poor enforced it with almost as much vigor as the nobility. Defined by birth, title, wealth, property and occupation, it went something like this, with the aristocracy and gentry comprising the ruling class:

Monarch
Royalty
Aristocracy
Gentry
Middle Classes
Artisans, Tradespeople
Servants
Laboring Poor
Paupers

Comments

Sue Moore
Reply

My husband and I have debated what comprised the “gentry” as opposed to the middle class. I’ve read enough historical fiction that I should know, but different writers handle it differently. For instance, is a barrister or solicitor gentry? I think a vicar would be, but which is an officer in the army or navy? Such a conundrum!

Maribeth Curry
Reply

Only way out was to marry up eh? And even then it wasn’t easy 🙂

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