Seventeenth Century England Research Paper
Social customs and daily life during seventeenth century England varied depending on both one’s social class and their gender. A person’s social class could determine everything from the furniture in their house to the education of their children. There were various social classes that someone could belong to. The nobility was at the top, followed by the gentry. After the gentry, there were farmers who owned their own land. Though not well off or wealthy, they were still comfortably off. Though the standard of life grew more comfortably for those in the higher class, it did not change very much for those in the lower class. Certain things like education were still seen as privileges for the wealthy (Lambert). Children in wealthier families
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People rarely courted outside of their social class. Men began courting in their late teens, though they usually didn’t marry until their mid-twenties. They waited until their education was completed and they had more financial security before proposing. Women could begin courting as early as fifteen, but some waited until their early twenties to marry. Their late teens would be a time of greater freedom for them as they had no children to raise and no household to run. Courtship also gave them the power to accept or reject an admirer. Seasons and work also played a part in weddings and marriage. Weddings were popular in the months of November, December, and January since farming duties were not as urgent. Not all weddings were held in churches as traveling to them could be inconvenient for those in a more rural setting. After the ceremony, a party was held at the home of the bride’s parents.This party could last anywhere from a few hours to a several days (Courtship and Marriage in the Eighteenth Century). Life in 17th century England tended to depend on a person’s social class and their gender. Those in the higher classes would receive higher levels of education and were more financially stable. Women were able to pursue an education, though not to the extent that men were. When it came to marriage and courtship, women were given the freedom to accept or reject those who pursued them, though family and social status still played a part. Overall, class affected a large part of a person’s day to day
People rarely courted outside of their social class. Men began courting in their late teens, though they usually didn’t marry until their mid-twenties. They waited until their education was completed and they had more financial security before proposing. Women could begin courting as early as fifteen, but some waited until their early twenties to marry. Their late teens would be a time of greater freedom for them as they had no children to raise and no household to run. Courtship also gave them the power to accept or reject an admirer. Seasons and work also played a part in weddings and marriage. Weddings were popular in the months of November, December, and January since farming duties were not as urgent. Not all weddings were held in churches as traveling to them could be inconvenient for those in a more rural setting. After the ceremony, a party was held at the home of the bride’s parents.This party could last anywhere from a few hours to a several days (Courtship and Marriage in the Eighteenth Century). Life in 17th century England tended to depend on a person’s social class and their gender. Those in the higher classes would receive higher levels of education and were more financially stable. Women were able to pursue an education, though not to the extent that men were. When it came to marriage and courtship, women were given the freedom to accept or reject those who pursued them, though family and social status still played a part. Overall, class affected a large part of a person’s day to day