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The Great Chain of Being

The Great Chain of Being. GOD Angels*. Man King. Aristocrats. Aristocrats. Greater Aristocrats. Dukes Marquess /Margraves Counts/Earls Viscounts Baron/Lords. Lesser Aristocrats. Knights and Gentry Seigneurs Hidalgos Szlacha. Peasants.

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The Great Chain of Being

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  1. The Great Chain of Being GOD Angels* Man King Aristocrats Aristocrats Greater Aristocrats Dukes Marquess/Margraves Counts/Earls Viscounts Baron/Lords Lesser Aristocrats Knights and Gentry Seigneurs Hidalgos Szlacha Peasants Substantial Farmers Small Farmers Cottagers Laborers The Poor The family also had its ranks: Father Mother Male Children (in birth order) Female Children (in birth order) Animals* Plants* Stones* * All of these could also be divided in to ranks

  2. Key Features of the Great Chain of Being • Those at the top of the hierarchy were closer to God • Humankind is ½ way down the chain • Other than God, all ranks could be subdivided • The top of each hierarchy is analogous to the head of the whole chain – God • The chain is a chain, not a ladder. • Order is Central!!

  3. Why did people not rebel? • Education/indoctrination • Lack of facility • The principle of deference (paternalism)

  4. The Great Chain was an ideal • Reality was sometimes messy and contrary to the Great Chain world view • Noble families rose and fell • New nobles were created • Peasants • Cities • The Church

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