Renaissance Social Classes
Nobles
Merchants
Middle Class
Workers
- owned much of the land
- lived on large estates
- behaved according to the rules of chivalry
- distained the merchants
Merchants
- newly rich
- gained wealth in industries (wool, processing, boat making, & banking)
- sought to protect their wealth by controlling the government & marrying into noble families.
Middle Class
- shopkeepers
- professionals
Workers
- no job protection
- very dependent on employers