Renaissance Upper Class

1. Renaissance Upper Class Adam Stehley Period 1 Mrs. Dengler

2. Food • Food and drink was different according to one’s status and wealth. • The rich ate few fresh fruit and vegetables. • Dairy products were deemed inferior and only the poor were supposed to eat them. • The food of the upper class lacked vitamin c, calcium, and fiber. Source: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-food-and-diet.htm

3. Clothing • The upper class clothing was influenced more by geometric shapes than the shape of the body. • The Sumptuary Laws required for different classes to wear different clothing. Breaking these laws could result in fines, loss of property, or even execution. • Clothing made from gold fabric was only worn by women in the upper class. • Upper class clothing was made from a variety of expensive silk, velvet, satin, furs, and cottons. Source: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-upper-class-fashion.htm

4. Nobles • The Nobles of the Renaissance consisted of the men of the wealthiest families. • Their status would be easily recognized by the type of clothing they wore, due to the Sumptuary Laws. Source: http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-nobles.htm

5. Other facts • Upper class women tended to stay at home. They spent most of their time tending to the household staff and children. • Men usually spent their time at court or managing their estates. • During war time, military campaigns often kept upper class men away from their homes. Source: http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/rens_02/rens_02_00136.html