Explain why the gentry were important in Elizabethan England. (8 marks).
The gentry were an important part of Elizabethan England who helped to support the
country. The gentry consisted of wealthy landowners who held important positions in the
country and they earned their place in society entirely because of their wealth. Before
Elizabeth’s reign, the wealth of England was held mainly by the nobility and the stability
brought by the Elizabethan age began to change this idea. But people were now able to
make money from trading goods and the gentry began to grow and rise in power as they
started to fill the powerful positions in society such as being Justices of Peace and members
of Parliament. As a result, the gentry dominated the House of Commons due to their
intellect which helped support the country throughout the Elizabethan era as the gentry
played an extremely important role supporting the welfare of the country.
Additionally, Henry VIII set up ‘The Dissolution of the Monasteries’ during his reign as King
which made one quarter of the country’s land available to be purchased by gentry. The
gentry then rented out this land which now contained animals and crops, (at the time
animals would have been more profitable than grain) and improved the drainage and
fertilisation which resulted in more crops, animals and higher profits. This then allowed the
gentry to trade with other countries resulting in greater prosperity and wealth which
boosted the Elizabethan economy. The money from trade was then invested in education,
houses and ultimately, the gentry were eager to sponsor and support new architectural,
artistic, literary and literary projects which further boosted the Elizabethan economy and
supported the welfare of the country.
The gentry were an important part of Elizabethan England who helped to support the
country. The gentry consisted of wealthy landowners who held important positions in the
country and they earned their place in society entirely because of their wealth. Before
Elizabeth’s reign, the wealth of England was held mainly by the nobility and the stability
brought by the Elizabethan age began to change this idea. But people were now able to
make money from trading goods and the gentry began to grow and rise in power as they
started to fill the powerful positions in society such as being Justices of Peace and members
of Parliament. As a result, the gentry dominated the House of Commons due to their
intellect which helped support the country throughout the Elizabethan era as the gentry
played an extremely important role supporting the welfare of the country.
Additionally, Henry VIII set up ‘The Dissolution of the Monasteries’ during his reign as King
which made one quarter of the country’s land available to be purchased by gentry. The
gentry then rented out this land which now contained animals and crops, (at the time
animals would have been more profitable than grain) and improved the drainage and
fertilisation which resulted in more crops, animals and higher profits. This then allowed the
gentry to trade with other countries resulting in greater prosperity and wealth which
boosted the Elizabethan economy. The money from trade was then invested in education,
houses and ultimately, the gentry were eager to sponsor and support new architectural,
artistic, literary and literary projects which further boosted the Elizabethan economy and
supported the welfare of the country.
