Squirearchy (Noun)
Meaning
The gentry who own land (considered as a class).
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The landed squirearchy were generally influential figures within the community due to their large property holdings and historic roots in the area.
- During this time, there existed an especially stark division between the agricultural working class and the gentry that formed the rural squirearchy.
- While still comprising part of the ruling class, their family wealth derived largely from non-land based means set the young men somewhat apart from traditional rural squirearchy.
- Though owning farmland throughout several nearby towns and thus ranking amongst local squirearchy, William could frequently be spotted dining humbly among tenants in an outdoor yard or cottage parlour.
- Traditional notions of social class positioned members of the large-estate-holding, long-standing squirearchy firmly alongside members of Britain's aristocracy.