Social Class
During the early period of feudalism, British people had their own distinctive class status. In general, people whose incomes depended on rents and payments belonged to the upper or noble class; those well-educated or in a professionwere considered in the middle class; and the manual-labored people made up the lower or working class.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the noble class was subdivided into two parts: those with most of the land and privileges became the nobility or aristocracy,playing a key role in the House of Lords and local governments, while others with less land and privileges were called knights or country gentlemen, playinga greater part in the House of Commons and the bourgeois revolutions in the 17thcentury. The British noble class has their own influence on society all thetime because they kept their estate, status and the primogeniture inheritancesystem in the 17th century revolution.
The middle class has grown significantly after the Industrial Revolution and play a major role in the British economy. They make a living by their knowledge and skills and become wealthier by becoming involved in businesses and professions.Besides, they attach great importance education of their children, whichcontributes to the development of democracy and equality in Britain.
Theworking class predominantly referred to agricultural laborers before theIndustrial Revolution, but now it is composed of mining and factory workers asfewer people are engaged in farming.
At present some class distinctions have beenobscured as many new jobs require higher education and special skills and there is no definite distinction between the middle-class jobs and the working-classjobs. In addition, high income may turn the working-class people into themiddle class, or even the upper-class status.
