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Jane Austen Rank and Class in the Regency Period

English society in Jane’s time revolved around a social hierarchy.  Ones rank (title, or lack thereof) greatly determined social class.  Royalty always held the highest position, but even among royals, a pecking order of rank existed and still exists today.

 

Royalty (called “your Majesty” or "your Highness") :
King
Queen
Prince
Princess

Nobility (called “Lord/Lady”):
Duke
Marquis
Earl
Viscount
Baron

Commoners (called “Sir/Lady” or “Mister/Mrs.”):
Baronet
Knight
Landed gentry (land-owners)

*To distinguish between a noble Lady (i.e. daughter of an earl) and a non-noble Lady (i.e. wife of a knight), the first name of a noblewoman was used with her title. For example: Lady Catherine de Bourgh is of noble lineage while Lady Lucas is not.

Other Gentlemen (called “Mister” or rank title "Captain, Colonel, etc."):
Affluent businessmen
Navy and Army officers
Clergymen


 

The Books of Jane Austen:

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Read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Online
Read Jane Austen's Mansfield Park Online
Read Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey Online
Read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility Online
Read Jane Austen's Persuasion Online

     

 

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