Elizabethan Society

When born, Elizabethans were born into a clearly defined structure in society. They would spend their who lives in that place and would have distinctive expectations within that place. This hierarchy was structured within a pyramid, and would have the minority (the peasantry) at the bottom, and the Queen at the top.

The Poor

These were the Elizabethans who would go without food or shelter. To control their numbers a poor Law was put in place, which was if the poor women or man was capable to do an honest days work and chose not to, they were sentenced to death.

The Poor Law 1601

The Peasantry

Within the Peasantry there is also a hierarchy. First being the “cottars” who would reside in cottages which they would rent, and occasionally an acre or two of land. Usually they would work for a pittance harvesting and work under harsh conditions. There were a lucky few who had skills and would gain a minimal income from their lands. This would be the type of people who would only be able to wear the coif, to protect them while their hair while they work.

Above this was the tenant farmer (husbandman) who would rent the land from another party. Sometimes they would own a lease that guaranteed him tenancy of the land at the same rent. A typical holding would be around 25 acres. Although they wouldn’t earn loads, they would usually have enough to eat, could take a holiday and enjoy life at social events. This could mean their wives could afford more expensive head covers, but it wouldn’t be as elaborate as the attifet.

Then there is the Yeoman. These would control freeholds rather than leases which carried little or no rent and gave many acres of land. They may even have tenants of his own. The Lord of the Manor still held the title of the land, but a freehold was indistinguishable from direct ownership. They would still work on the land however they were clearly higher than the rest of the peasantry. If they engrossed their holdings they could eventually become gentry.

The Gentry

Either Lords of a Manor (where they hold land outright) or gentlemen freeholders (tenants of some greater lord) they were the elite of the countryside. They did no manual labour and lived off tenants rent.  They would gill all local offices such as sheriff or surveyor of the roads. The most important post was Justices of the Peace, they enforced the laws and met out justice in the community. There was also knights, however they only held status, there was no actual gain. Finally there were the esquires, who were the more distinguished members of the country gentry community. All of these would serve in Parliament in the House of Commons. The Gentry would be able to afford to have many of the hair covers, although they wouldn’t have as lavish ones as the Nobility.

A Wedding Feast 1569

The Nobility

 You could only be a noble if you were born into it or ennobled by Elizabeth herself. This status meant that if they came to any trouble the only form of punishment they could have was being beheaded, being tortured or pilloried etc was against the law. Nobles inherited extensive lands and generous incomes, these would be the richest people in England. Therefore I would expect that their hairstyles were most true to the times. With elaborate headdresses and beautiful wigs.

Philip Howard Earl of Arundel

Queen

Of course the queen had the best hair and accessories around as she was the person who set these trends! Her Ladies of the Court would also be well dressed, their hair would be very similar but not as lavish as the Queens.

still from Elizabeth (1997)