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GCSE English Literature · key term
The titled nobility, including dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons, ranking above the landed gentry.
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Paper 1
The titled nobility, including barons, viscounts, earls, marquesses and dukes.
Revise: ContextAbove the untitled gentry stood the peerage, the titled nobility. Lady Catherine belongs to an aristocratic family and is Darcy’s aunt. Her rank, wealth and connections help explain why she expects deference.
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Paper 2
The class of people holding noble titles, such as duke or earl, ranked above the landed gentry.
Revise: Class and wealthThe peerage, including earls, stands above the gentry; tradespeople such as Mr Gardiner occupy a lower social position despite being prosperous. Below the gentry are also farmers, labourers and servants. These distinctions shape the novel’s judgements, although Austen concentrates on a relatively narrow social circle.
Component 2
The holders of noble titles such as baron, earl and duke. Knights and untitled landed gentlemen were not peers.
Revise: ContextSir William Lucas formerly worked in trade and received a knighthood during his mayoralty. His title distinguishes him socially, but it does not make him a member of the peerage or give Charlotte a large fortune.
The titled ranks of the British aristocracy, including dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons; socially above the landed gentry.
