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Classes in the Renaissance

• Noble Class – Born into wealth. Acted according to chivalry and honour.

 They did not wish to change, and so did not like the rise of the merchants.ne could become a noble man by being a!!ointed "rare# or by birth.

Arranged marriages were almost guaranteed. The Nobles did not like tradeand !referred to rely on ta$es from their own tenants. %any attem!ted togain entry to this class by being knighted, but not having any traits ofchivalry "no horse, military training or chivalry#.

o %onarchso Nobleso &ords

• %erchant Class – 'ain wealth through travelling and trading. They

attem!ted to marry into the noble families to maintain wealth. They couldbe a!!ointed as a nobleman if they gained enough money and favour.Arranged marriages often occurred between merchant daughters and the

Noble classes to e$change money.o %erchants Traders

• %iddle Class – The grou! of !eo!le like sho!kee!ers and !rofessionals.o (ho!kee!ers, stable businessmen

• )orking Class – The workers relied on their bosses. They could either have

their wages dro!!ed or sacked. *li+abeth did make a number of oor &awsto aid this class.

o Beggars, !rostitutes and actors "actors were frowned u!on#

&eisure in the Classes

 Tournament – Nobles yes

%erchants - middle – try to make themselves look better

 Theatre – *veryone went, some to watch, and some to be watched

Bibliogra!hy

htt!//www.mrdowling.com/0123social.html

htt!//wiki.answers.com/4/)hat5were5the5renaissance6s5class5systems

htt!//!re+i.com/nwso7n83g9:o/social3classes3in3the3renaissance/

htt!//historymedren.about.com/od/burckhardt/a/cri5v;.htm

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