Yeomanry In The Elizabethan Era

Mark Twain once stated, "History never repeats itself, but it does rhyme." Through this quote, the author suggests that, like a rhyme, history sounds very similar. This is evident when viewing the Elizabethan Era and comparing it to today. Specific details might differ but some key points do shine through. The social classes of the Elizabethan era are similar to todays through the merchants control of the middle class, the support for the poor, and the separate lifestyles of the ranks. All of the classes had different rules and roles in society. For example, the yeomanry was made up of farmers and craft makers that lived simple lives. The size of this class was similar to the size of today's middle class. Improving and expanding their land is how they spent their money. The yeomanry lived quite simple lives. However, if a yeoman was struck with any illness, which was fatal or detrimental at the time, or just had a stroke of bad luck, he or she could possibly lose all his or her money and land. The person would then become a laborer. During the Elizabethan Era, going up or down a rank was a tremendous deal. Being a laborer meant being part of the lowest class. Owning land was not

Here she revised some details and specified what relief would go to the laborers. There were 2 types: outdoor and indoor. Outdoor relief was given to the able-bodied poor. They could keep their homes and would be given money and supplies from time to time. Indoor relief was given to the impotent poor. The people would be taken to a shelter and cared for, the ill would go to the hospital, and orphans would go to the orphanage. The orphans and other poor children would be given apprenticeships so they could be able to work when they grew up. Even if upper classes were upset they had to pay a tax, they knew it was for a good cause. In the end, the highest class found a way to unite the social classes to care for the lowest