The Scarlet Pimpernel

        In 1793, life in England and France were vastly different. While France was in the midst of a revolution, England had already had its revolutionary phase; the constitutional monarchy was ruled by George III. The monarchy, aristocrats, bourgeoisie (rich upper class urban merchants,) and the poor still has strife, even if it pales in comparison to that of France.

         Social Class determined everything about a person in 18th century England.  It determined one’s education, prosperity, rights and status. Though the ranks were strict, 18th century England saw an increase in the number, status, power and prosperity to the aristocracy. The aristocrats at the time were greatly expanding their investments and property around the world. Areas that were often invested in were: coffee, tobacco, silk, cotton, sugar, alcohol, and opium.  The Industrial revolution brought about another expansion in wealth leading to the rise in the bourgeoisie. With large sums of money and growing status some members of the bourgeoisie were able to become aristocrats themselves, while others sat comfortably with vast fortunes and a lower social standing.

       Aristocrats had great amounts of leisure time that they would fill with various activities such as: hunting, horse breeding, horse racing, cricket, attending balls, and attending theatre events. Having had a proper education, aristocrats loved the Romans and classical work. The bourgeoisie, on the other hand did not have as much free time and resented aristocrats who bragged about their leisure. Aristocrats looked down on the bourgeoisie who had to work for their status. The bourgeoisie disliked the weak morals of the aristocrats who lacked innovation and did not value marriage as much as they did. In fact wives who were deemed to be “too argumentative” or “radical” could be publically punished and penalized.