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 |
