1. 17th Century England Defining Characteristics

2. Geography of Great Britain
Great Britain is an island separated from the European mainland by the English Channel and North Sea.
It comprises the nations of England, Scotland and Wales

3. Regions of Great Britain Page 121
Lowland Britain
Highland Britain
South and East
Consists of low-lying and fertile lands ideal for agriculture
Warmer climate due to the Gulf Stream which carries warm water and winds from the Gulf of Mexico
North and West
Consists of hilly mountainous countryside with thin soils with some pockets of fertile land

4. Result of regional differences
Lowland Britain has always been more heavily populated, wealthier, and more politically powerful

5. Changes in Society Why was feudalism ending ?
People moving from the country to towns and cities
No longer had ties to lords
People more in control of their own destinies
3 classes of people developed

6. Upper class
The monarch and advisors, nobles, high church officials such as bishops
lived in fine town and country houses
Owned valuable possessions

7. Middle class
Merchants, manufacturers, landowners, professionals, and military officers
Wealthy middleclass
lived in fine town and country houses
Owned valuable possessions

8. Lower Class Farmers and workers Skilled workers
Carpenters, Blacksmiths, dressmakers
Could earn good incomes and live comfortably
Unskilled workers
Worked long hours for pennies a day (worse for women)
Lived in small homes, often 1 or 2 rooms

9. English Diet in the 17th century
Pre 17th Century
Post 17th Century
Poor lived off mainly bread and beer, and occasionally meat or cheese
Wealthy ate meat heavily spiced to hide old taste
Fruit and veggies not popular and eaten uncooked
Foods arriving from all over the world
Pineapple, maize, potatoes, coffee, tea, and chocolate

10. English Social Customs in the 17th century
The Coffee House
New social institution in which men could drink coffee smoke tobacco and discuss politics and gossip

11. Religion in 17th century England
Most of England was Protestant
Still some Catholics in the country
The official church was the Church of England
Anglican Church
The king was the head of the church
People paid tithes to the church (1/10 or earnings)

12. Puritans Large and powerful Protestant group
Opposed to the ceremonies and decoration of the Anglican Church
Wore dark clothing and disapproved of drinking, gambling, sports, and theatre

13. Calvinists Puritans were Calvinists
Believed that churches should be simple and plain
Hated the extravagant art and ceremony of the Roman Catholic Church

14. Puritans in Politics
Some Puritans entered parliament as another way to promote their beliefs
As a result, Stuart Kings would have to fight parliament on both religious and political grounds

15. Puritans in the New World
Some Puritans left the country in search of religious freedom
At times imprisoned and fined for practicing their religion in England
The Pilgrims chartered the Mayflower to America
Founded a colony at Plymouth Rock 1620