Chief inhabitants and their areas of influence : local ruling groups in Essex and Suffolk parishes, 1630-1720
Recent studies of the social structure of seventeenth and early eighteenth century English society have laid much emphasis upon the collective identity of a 'middle sort of people' existing as a definable group between the gentry and the poor. This view is apparently sa~ctioned by contemporary usage of the term by commentators describing trades, occupations and landholders of moderate prospenty, particularly during and after the civil war period. However, this thesis argues that no consistent connection has been established between this apparently contemporary terminology, and a well-defined set of occupational or income categories. In particular, the term 'middle sort' does not appear to have been employed in the area of northern Essex and southern Suffolk examined in this thesis. Instead, the social order is repeatedly categorised as being divided between 'chief inhabitants' and other 'inhabitants'. The thesis explores the implications of this alternative language by examining the social position and identities of the principal inhabitants of the area. Chapter One establishes that the area of northern Essex and southern Suffolk studied in the thesis functioned as a distinct economic entity, due to its participation
French, Henry Richards
Social structure
Chief inhabitants and their areas of influence : local ruling groups in Essex and Suffolk parishes, 1630-1720. Recent studies of the social structure of seventeenth and early eighteenth century English society have laid much emphasis upon the collective identity of a 'middle sort of people' existing as a definable group between the gentry and the poor. This view is apparently sa~ctioned by contemporary usage of the term by commentators describing trades, occupations and landholders of moderate prospenty, particularly during and after the civil war period. However, this thesis argues that no consistent connection has been established between this apparently contemporary terminology, and a well-defined set of occupational or income categories. In particular, the term 'middle sort' does not appear to have been employed in the area of northern Essex and southern Suffolk examined in this thesis. Instead, the social order is repeatedly categorised as being divided between 'chief inhabitants' and other 'inhabitants'. The thesis explores the implications of this alternative language by examining the social position and identities of the principal inhabitants of the area. Chapter One establishes that the area of northern Essex and southern Suffolk studied in the thesis functioned as a distinct economic entity, due to its participation
chief inhabitant area influence_local ruling group essex suffolk parish recent_study social_structure seventeenth early eighteenth_century english_society lay much emphasis_upon collective_identity middle_sort people exist definable group gentry poor view apparently contemporary usage term commentator describe trade occupation landholder moderate particularly civil_war period however_argue consistent connection establish apparently contemporary terminology well_defined set occupational income category particular term middle_sort appear employ area northern essex southern suffolk examine_thesis instead social_order repeatedly categorise divided chief inhabitant explores_implication alternative language examine social_position identity principal inhabitant area establish area northern essex southern suffolk study function distinct economic_entity due participation