Reading the Regency

The Gentry

"Mr. Berryl's education, disposition, and tastes, fitted him exactly for the station which he was destined to fill in society--that of a country gentleman; not meaning by that expression a mere eating, drinking, hunting, shooting, ignorant country squire of the old race, which is now nearly extinct; but a cultivated, enlightened, independent English country gentleman--the happiest, perhaps, of human beings."
[The Absentee, by Maria Edgeworth]

In the social echelons of Regency England, the Gentry class stood below barons, but above the most wealthy tradesmen and manufacturers. There were three layers of gentleman:

Baronets
Knights
Gentlemen

A true member of the gentry class never earned money from trade. They either lived off the interest earned from investments, received rents from tenants who lived and worked on their land, or received an income from an annuity.

It is said that in 1803 the gentry comprised the families of approximately 540 baronets, 350 knights, 6,000 landed squires and 20,000 gentleman. These figures represented only 1.4% of the national population.

Although the gentry were all commoners, and enjoyed none of the same rights and privileges afforded to peers, many of the gentry families had owned and occupied their lands for many generations, and had earned respect from their long histories with their estates.

"Mr. Palmer is always going about the country canvassing against the election; and so many people came to dine with us that I never saw before, it is quite charming! But, poor fellow! it is very fatiguing to him, for he is forced to make every body like him.

"How charming it will be," said Charlotte, "when he is in Parliament!- won't it? How I shall laugh! It will be so ridiculous to see all his letters directed to him with an M.P. But do you know, he says, he will never frank for me? He declares he won't. Don't you, Mr. Palmer?"
[Chapter 20, Sense & Sensibility, by Jane Austen]

Members of the gentry class often ran for election as a Member of Parliament, which gave them some influence in the running of the country. The position was unpaid (until 1911) so only those with an independent income could afford to stand. This allowed them to have the initials "M.P." after their name, and they were entitled to "frank" their letters to qualify for free postage. It was also a good way for a gentleman to progress up the social ladder. Some M.P.'s who had accepted additional responsibilities in the government were often rewarded with a knighthood, a baronetcy or even a peerage.

"Foxley, I am persuaded, is a real Justice of Peace, and country gentleman of estate, though (wonderful to tell!) he is an ass notwithstanding..."
[Redgauntlet, by Sir Walter Scott]

Members of the gentry class could also serve as a Justice of the Peace; a local magistrate allowed to sit in judgement on some local crimes. They had the initials "J.P." after their name, and would often decide trivial matters of local justice, while more serious crimes were passed to the Quarter Sessions or the Assize Courts to be tried in front of judges. The role was voluntary and unpaid, although it was thought that the landowning gentlemen were best placed to serve in this role, having both the free time and the necessary education to make such important decisions.

"On the contrary, the Squire's influence, as a man of family and property in the immediate neighbourhood, who actually kept greyhounds and pointers, and at least talked of hunters and of racers, ascertained him the support of the whole class of bucks, half and whole bred, from the three next counties; and if more inducements were wanting, he could grant his favourites the privilege of shooting over his moors."
[Chapter 3, St Ronan's Well, by Sir Walter Scott]