big question molonski middle class .... harks back to earlier times (Middle Ages):
"The system of government at that time was known as the feudal system. The king owned all the land, but divided this between barons and the Church. The barons had their own private armies, and agreed to pay taxes and fight for the king. They lived in houses known as manors. The private armies which they controlled were led by trained soldiers known as knights, who would ride horses and wear metal suits of armour to protect themselves in battle. Yeomen were farmers, who were free but had to do some work for the baron. Serfs (peasants) were owned by the baron and had to provide food in exchange for their security - they were not allowed to leave the manor without permission. This created a class system: people still talk of an upper class, middle class and working class, although the definition of these terms is no longer clear." (from www.ukstudentlife.com ... simplistic but not a bad place to start)
a more rigid class system ie peasants, merchants
like most things, it's a moving target used to be what the vast majority were or were able to atain (with consistent steady work) ... perhaps it was then truely the mean
