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Social Classes in England, 1814
January 20, 2008 by Vic
From: Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England: From 1811-1901, Kristine Hughes, Ohio, 1998, p 122, ISBN 0-89879-812-4
For more questions and answers about British social classes, click here.
Please note: If you wish to use this image, please give proper credit. The information came from Kristine Hughes; the image was made by me. Thank you.
Posted in History, Regency World | Tagged Jane Austen's World | 45 Comments
on March 4, 2008 at 07:02 Yinh
This seems to include all the social classes from Regency England to the leading Victorian Age. Can you post the class divisions of only the Regency period?…or am I mistaken, and that these are correctly named during the Regency Era…
on January 21, 2010 at 06:13 brad
o yes quight so you nerd
on July 5, 2011 at 15:55 Lady Eve
I was wondering, where on this chart would a governess or a land owner (lady/lord) rank in this era?
on March 4, 2008 at 12:23 Ms. Place
These are correctly named. Kristine Hughes referred to the information in Patrick Colquhoun's Treatise. Kristine uses 1814, while another source I found uses 1815. This discrepancy would need to be investigated.
Thank you for your prompt response. I thought the Regency class system was divided into 3 classes: upper (aristocratic), middle class, and lower (poor). If the 8 classes mentioned here are valid, how can I determine which of these encompass classes (and occupations) make up the 3 respective classes. In the following site, I'm getting mixed information about the class system of Regency England–and respective to Pride and Prejudice: http://www.littlecoxwell.com/history/class-system.php
This site says the class was divided into nobility and commoners. Also, it makes reference to Pride and Prejudice as having the Bennets and their class.
I've researched many sites and always come up short. Again, thank you for your response.
Yinh, your questions seem to relate to a class assignment or paper you are writing. Since my focus on this blog is to have fun and to write information about Jane Austen and her era in order to make it more comprehensible to the modern world, I feel uneasy setting myself up as an expert in such a highly specialized way. The student asking the question in this link seemed to have the same concerns as you did. Kriswrite from Google questions gave some excellent answers and pointed to several resources. This link already sits in the post, but you might have missed it. It is the best I can do for you, since this detailed answer already addresses all the class levels and places them into three. Good luck!
Again, I appreciate your reply. Yes, you are correct, it is for a school assignment. I've been able to simplify the different classes to the upper, middle, and lower class. Actually, I've stumbled across that link before, but when it mentioned the Victorian period, I hesitated to even gander at it. Little did I realize, the info is relatively similar to that of the class discrimination found in Pride and Prejudice. My cocerns and questions are cleared.
Thank you for establishing this site, it's been a pleasure.
You are so very welcome Yinh. The pleasure is mine, actually. I love reading and writing about the Regency era.
on August 9, 2008 at 08:03 Jayne
From this chart, it appears that Mr. Darcy was part of the very upper echelon of the second class, where Elizabeth was (courtesy of her father) at the lower end of that class and, further, weighted down by her mother's clearly 4th class origins.
Oops! I meant to add, so that Elizabeth's statement to Lady Catherine in the 'wilderness' was correct: "He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter. Thus far we are equal."
on August 9, 2008 at 10:00 Vic (Ms. Place)
Thank you for that observation, Jayne. Elizabeth was correct – except for income, they were social equals. I find Lady Catherine's reference to Lizzy's mother's merchant and middle class relatives interesting, for it indicated how rapidly that segment of society was rising due to their accruing wealth and education. While the Industrial Revolution made many in the middle class rich, the enclosure acts and subsequent loss of common lands forced many poor villagers to move to the cities, where they and their children lived in dire poverty and worked in abysmal conditions in the factories.
on October 12, 2008 at 13:55 AnnaMariee
What was Mr.Darcy's occupation then? and where would lady catherine stand on this chart?
on October 13, 2008 at 00:36 Vic (Ms. Place)
Lady Catherine belongs to the highest orders. Mr. Darcy, as landowner of a great estate and whose income is incomparable, would also belong to that order. According to James Heldman, "Mr. Darcy is not the wealthiest of Jane Austen's characters. That honor belongs, as far as we can determine, to Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park; and it may belong to Sir Thomas Bertram, though we are never told what his income is. Nevertheless, Mr. Darcy is very wealthy. He has an income of £10,000 a year; if we multiply that by $33.13, then we see that Mr. Darcy has an income of well over $300,000 a year. On the face of it, that hardly makes him Lee Iacocca. But Mr. Darcy's income is at least 300 times the per capita income in his day. Moreover, Mr. Darcy belongs to a very select group. G.E. Mingay, an economic historian, estimates that in 1790, about twenty years before the time of Pride and Prejudice, there were only 400 families among the landed gentry in England whose incomes fell within that range, a range from £5,000 to £50,000 a year, with the average being £10,000 a year. Mr. Darcy is thus the average among what Mingay describes as the "Great Landlords" (26). The magnitude of his income may also be further understood when seen in relation to other incomes of the day. In 1795, the income of a "leading merchant or banker" was only £2,000 a year (McGrandle 73). Thus it is easy to understand why Mrs. Bennet is flustered when she learns of her daughter's coming marriage. "
on January 4, 2009 at 21:06 Karolyn Hart
Can you tell me how a Lady of Nobility would be introduced into society if she were marrying abroad? If she were meeting just the ladies, were there any formalities or customs?
on January 5, 2009 at 01:18 Vic (Ms. Place)
The marvelous thing about the British of that age is that they brought their customs with them. Letters of introduction were arranged to smooth the way into society. The bride took on her husband's status (unless her status was higher) and she would meet the wives of his relatives, colleagues and friends (or friends of friends.) The Grand Tour : This novel might answer some of your questions, and here is an article that discusses how Anne Langton and her family went on a grand tour: The Grand Tour.
on January 8, 2009 at 23:24 Amanda
I'm a senior at Palo Alto High School. I'm currently writing a paper on the socioeconomic classes and how it affected the characters in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions for this paper.
First of all, I was wondering how difficult it was for a two people of different social classes to marry during the time period of the novel. It was obviously possible, seeing that Bingley/Jane and Darcy/Elizabeth married. I was wondering how it society would take it.
Secondly, in the novel, characters such as Charlotte and Collins are of the middle/lower class. I know that characters at the upper class tend to want to keep their name and marry within their status. However, for characters in the middle/lower class, is there a motive or a norm to stay in your same class? Other than love, what is the stereotypical reason for the middle/lower class to marry?
Lastly, where do Collins, the Lucas, the Bennets, and Bingley fall on this chart?
-Amanda
It was possible to marry outside of one's class, but not probable. Never say never, but generally the idea was to preserve landed estates and join them, which was the way to consolidate power, or hold on to one's wealth or increase it. This is why the Laws of Primogeniture were strictly followed – to keep the estates intact. A rich merchant's daughter could marry an impoverished nobleman, but rarely did a rich nobleman marry an impoverished merchant's daughter. The British class system was extremely rigid, but there were exceptions to the rule, as with Lord Featherestone from Uppark marrying his dairy maid. This kicks in an interesting situation. When a woman marries she keeps her own rank if it is higher than her husband's, but if it is lower she is elevated to the rank to which she is entitled as his wife.
The Bingleys rose up the merchant rank and belong to the lower rungs of the upper classes (Second class). Society was becoming more fluid during this age. The Lucases and Bennets belonged to the second class gentry. They had enough income from investments and their inheritance to live like gentleman, but not so much as to place them on top of the societal heap. The distinction is that Mr. Bennet and Sir William Lucas did not need to work, as those in trade did. They might oversee their holdings, but they did not sully their hands. As a minister Mr. Collins is a gentleman. Second sons did not inherit, therefore they had to work. But only a few avenues of employment were open to them – the law, taking orders, becoming a physician, or joining the military. Mr. Collins grovelled as if he belonged to the third class, but because he stood to inherit Mr. Bennet's estate, he was on equal footing with his wife Charlotte, the daughter of a knight.
Due to the wealth they acquired during the Industrial Revolution, individuals in the middle classes could rise up in rank, but an impoverished nobleman (First class) still had more status than a rich merchant (Third class) – it would take several generations for the taint of making a living with one's hands to rub off.
As for marriage, The Marriage Act of 1753 made marrying outside one's class more difficult. Find information about it in Wikipedia. Posting the banns gave families time to prevent an undesirable union.
To further understand status, read Forms of Address and Titles in Jane Austen
NOTE: Juvenile content removed. Shame on you, Brad, but you did slip by me.
on May 31, 2011 at 15:19 JaneAustenFan.
Brad, how about you just shut up?
People are trying to have a proper conversation and talk about a subject of interest.
How about you go and find a site that will entertain you and your ridiculously small brain.
Vic, this is another great post which has helped me a vast deal whilst researching for a Jane Austen-esque novella. :) Thank you!
on February 13, 2009 at 21:49 Daisy
Hi, I'm doing an art project on English fashion around this time. Say my character was the daughter of a mayor of a town, which class would she be? (Ps. If you've read it, this is an adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare)
Any help would be MUCH apreciated. Thanks, Daisy.
on March 30, 2010 at 13:15 erica ervin (student)
Ok, I am a student at Greenville Christian School in Greenville, MS. My english teacher assigned us a five paragraph research paper on one of the pieces of literature we have read this year. I picked pride and prejudice. My thesis is this: The class and ranks system of the nineteenth century as presented in Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" judges individuals not only according to who their family is, how much money they have, and how old their money is; but also on many other characterisitcs of their position in society. Any advice or reccomended secondary sources will be much appreciated, this paper is 7 quiz grades and 4 tests grades so it's a big chunk out of my over all grade this nine weeks. thankyou.
on May 7, 2010 at 07:05 wagdy
hi vic
i wish i could meet u online oneday. i need some papers on Rank and classes in jane austen's works
i want some papers about rank and classes in persausion?
on May 21, 2010 at 16:33 amy
where can I get a list of the 400 to 500 landed families in the early 19th century?
on September 8, 2010 at 16:40 Rosie
So . . . technically, both Elizabeth and Darcy belonged to the same class. After all, she was the legitimate daughter of a landowner, despite her mother's origins.
That also means that Jane Bennet had married beneath herself when she married Mr. Bingley. After all, he comes from the THIRD CLASS – a wealthy merchant or manufacturer.
This also leads me to wonder why Mr. Darcy would look down upon the Bennets' connection to the Gardiner family, when his best friend, Mr. Bingley (and his sisters) came from the same class as Mrs. Bennet and the Gardiners.
on November 4, 2010 at 12:33 Naomi
wow… what a fascinating article!
i fond of this novel and need more article about it for my last exam. it is about social and cultural background on Pride and Prejudice.
so how it could be divided into 3 classes?
may be do you have link to be on that article.
on January 14, 2011 at 10:04 Luke
In 2008, £10,000 0s 0d from 1810 is worth:
£565,000.00 using the retail price index
£6,710,000.00 using average earnings
Source: http://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk/result.php?use%5B%5D=CPI&use%5B%5D=NOMINALEARN&year_early=1810&pound71=10000&shilling71=&pence71=&amount=10000&year_source=1810&year_result=2008
on October 11, 2011 at 10:38 Vic
Luke, on the one hand you are right, but the cost of living back then was so different than now. For example, clothing was quite expensive before the age of mass production, yet most households could afford servants. Even some of the poorer households, like Fanny Price's parents in Mansfield Park, could afford a maid of all work.
So that even though the earnings indicated that a certain income, the money would be distributed in a vastly different way than today.
on May 17, 2011 at 16:47 Ryan
I know this sounds off topic, but does this also apply to other European countries (specifically Italy) during the same time period?
If not, will someone please be kind enough to guide me in the right direction as to where to find that information?
sorry for this extra comment
(i forgot to click for notifications via e-mail lol)
on July 25, 2011 at 00:25 Jake
Thanks much for an awesome site! Im a high school student from Australia and just had to read Emma (which I honestly didnt enjoy) and write an essay on nineteenth century England's social caste system. Your site helped point me in the right direction. =)
Ps nobody thinks you're funny Brad with your annoying comments…
on March 12, 2013 at 07:33 Katie
Jake, I also have to write an essay on nineteenth century England's social caste system… how did this site help you? ~Katie
on August 9, 2011 at 05:08 Maddie
Thankyou so much Vic for all your fantastic information. I am doing a glossary of terms used from the regency period for an assessment, is there a possible sight where there is like a "regency period dictionary" or do you know some basic words/language that was used to do with courtship, social life, amnner or social class…
Anything would be much appreciated
Hi all, I am so sorry not to be able to reply to all queries. Most of the answers lie in the links that I provide in the above pages. Thank you for stopping by my blog to do research.
on October 11, 2011 at 00:15 Rinn.
I just have a question regarding social status's. I'm just confused about a couple things. The words used are confusing and my question is where would an Anglican pastor from the 1740's be placed in this rank. I'm writing a story and this one vital piece is very much needed.
He'd be in Third Class or Fourth Class, depending on his parish, patron, connections, and family.
Mr. Elton from Emma, for example, thought himself quite a catch, and Emma made the mistake of thinking that he would be drawn to a nobody like Harriet Smith. Mr. Elton knew his self-worth and was insulted by Emma's plans for him. Mr. Elton was probably Third Class. He married a woman with a tidy fortune but she had no social standing.
Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice had some standing, for he was Mr. Bennet's heir. In time he would become a country gentleman with an independent living, and rise to the ranks of the Second Class. Perhaps he was already there, which is why Lady Catherine de Bourgh favored him with her condescension.
on November 4, 2011 at 10:45 ss630
Hi. Do you know which rank a blacksmith would be considered?
on November 19, 2011 at 08:11 linden.
hi, what social class is jane austen? im thinking middle class but im not too sure.
on April 19, 2012 at 17:15 ladylavinia1932
["The Bingleys rose up the merchant rank and belong to the lower rungs of the upper classes (Second class). Society was becoming more fluid during this age. "]
I'm afraid that this is incorrect. The Bingleys remained in the THIRD CLASS category. Charles Bingley had yet to purchase an estate and remove his the means in which his family had gained their wealth – through the family's factories – by the end of the novel. Perhaps he did so, following his marriage to Jane Bennet.
By the way, despite Mr. Bennet's marriage to a woman from the FOURTH CLASS category, his daughters were still members of the landed gentry (upper classes) and part of the SECOND CLASS category. Mr. Darcy is also part of the landed gentry and the SECOND CLASS category, despite his mother being a member of the aristocracy.
In other words, both Jane Bennet and Lydia Bennet followed their father's example by marrying beneath themselves. Elizabeth Bennet married Mr. Darcy, a man of her own class.
on April 20, 2012 at 04:15 Vic
Mr. Bingley had £5,000 per year (or the equivalent of around $380,00 per year today.) He had inherited his fortune from his father and entered the landed gentry class when he purchased his own estate after his marriage to Jane.
Elizabeth Bennet's father was a gentleman, no doubt about that, but his status was lower than Mr. Darcy's, whose fortune placed him in the top echelon of Regency bachelors. In terms of Elizabeth Bennet setting her sights on Mr. Darcy and finding a man of her own class,
on September 21, 2012 at 12:34 Vic
It's easy. The easiest one is blogger, supported by Google. WordPress is slightly more difficult, since you need to figure out how to use HTML code for the sidebar. Good luck!
on September 30, 2012 at 17:02 Mary
Georgette HEYER , the creator of Regency novels made a serious research about Regency Era in Greit Britain for the ambience of her novels
She was a serious writer of novels set in that Era but can enjoy more the pattern of the English language she used than of Jane Auste because more modern . Her references are became the foundation of the work for those plagiarists of regency novels in America. She was English, so she was authentic ( no American slang there.. If you want to understand that period for the upper clases Georgette HEYER is the best thing after JANE AUSTEN .
on December 1, 2012 at 15:18 Courtney
What a wonderful read! I'm curious though, about the social rank of the military, such as the British Army and the Royal Navy. In P&P, the younger Bennets were always seeking after the attentions of officers, but Mr. Wickham was a poor solider. Yet in Persuasion, Capt. Wentworth was very rich and a smart match for any girl, and that was something that he obtained through years of service, seeing that before he had been unsuitable for Anne. Could anyone further explain this for me??
on January 15, 2013 at 18:23 Interested
I have an essay to do on England's social system in the 19th century. On the chart you have above, where would Emma Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, and the Bates's fall into??
on January 15, 2013 at 19:15 Vic
I won't do all the work for you, but it helps to know that in terms of class, Mr. Knightley is at the top and the Bates women are at the bottom. All are gentry; none are artistocratic.