Gentry

• Knighthoods


  • Conferred as a sign of royal favour
  • Assumed a knight would possess an income which reflected his status
• Esquire


  A gentleman who was entitled to bear a coat of arms
• Status of esquire


  • Certified by the royal heralds
  • By 1530 heralds were unwilling to grant or confirm the title to anyone with lands worth less than £10 per annum or goods worth under £300