Landed gentry

A social class of country landowners below the peerage, whose estates could provide income without their needing to work in trade.

The wealthy social group whose position depended on owning landed estates, rather than necessarily holding a noble title.

Landowners of high social standing who could live from their estates, but did not hold peerages.

A social class of landowners below the titled aristocracy, whose estates could provide an income without their needing paid employment.

Landowners whose social position depended on their estates and standing as gentlemen, rather than necessarily on a title.

The generally untitled landowning social group whose income and standing came chiefly from estates. Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy belong to this group, despite their unequal wealth and connections.

The landowning social class below the titled nobility, traditionally receiving much of its income from rents.

Landowning families of high social standing below the titled nobility, whose income traditionally came chiefly from rents.

A social class of estate-owning families whose income came largely from land, including rents paid by tenant farmers, rather than commercial employment.