During the Stuart dynasty reined in England and Scotland, the upper caste was made up of two overlapping groups.

The nobility, those who held titles either inherited or gifted by the sovereign, and the gentry who enjoyed nearly all the same

privileges of position but well without title. These groups what we might call the

social ruling class took their cues from court life from its its entertainment, dress, food and leisure pursuits.

They were religious, cultured, political, and well educated.

They maintained large households and through lavish grand parties.

What do we know of their daily lives?

How did they raise and teeps their children?

What did they wear?

What work did they do?

How many servants was typical for a household?

And perhaps, most importantly, how did devotion and religious piety coexist

with a lifestyle otherwise dominated by excess.

Here with me today is Ben Norman, historian and author of Pomp and Piety,

everyday life of the aristocracy in Stuart England, which examines the lifestyle and habits of the 17th century aristocracy in all aspects of early modern life. Ben, welcome to not just the tutors.

Ben, welcome to not just the tutors.

Hello, thank you very much for having me.

It's a great pleasure.

So let's start with some definitions. What do we

mean exactly by the term aristocracy under the stewards? Does it cover multiple

groups in society or is it simply those directly beneath royalty?

I would class them as one entity directly beneath the royal family, but then split into

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