This structure consisted of four classes. The first class, nobility, was just a step below the king. The nobles owned large estates and could set in Parliament's House of Lords. The gentry, which was the next class, also owned large pieces of land and could become members of the House of Commons, thereby providing a check and balance system. Being landowners they could vote and hold office. Many of the gentries were justices of the peace or sheriffs; consequently, they possessed political power. The next two lower classes were the yeomanry and the peasantry. The yeomanry owned acres of land and small shops; although they could vote, they could not hold office. The peasants were very poor and did not own land and could not vote. The yeomans and the peasants migrated to America for promised acreage and equal
This structure consisted of four classes. The first class, nobility, was just a step below the king. The nobles owned large estates and could set in Parliament's House of Lords. The gentry, which was the next class, also owned large pieces of land and could become members of the House of Commons, thereby providing a check and balance system. Being landowners they could vote and hold office. Many of the gentries were justices of the peace or sheriffs; consequently, they possessed political power. The next two lower classes were the yeomanry and the peasantry. The yeomanry owned acres of land and small shops; although they could vote, they could not hold office. The peasants were very poor and did not own land and could not vote. The yeomans and the peasants migrated to America for promised acreage and equal