This article examines the wealthier inhabitants of Croydon in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, focusing on differences in wealth, ownership of property and social relationships. Using wills and subsidy lists, four broad categories of people were identified: gentlemen, yeomen, tradesmen and craftsmen and widows. There was no simple gradation of wealth between these groups; although gentlemen were generally among the richest subsidy payers, yeomen and tradesmen could also figure. In terms of social relationships and the ownership of property, there were differences. Gentlemen tended to marry within their own social group, appoint other gentlemen as overseers in their wills and were more likely to own land outside Croydon. The social relationships of yeomen and tradesmen/craftsmen were more focused on the town itself, as were their land purchases. Two groups of individuals can therefore be seen, not one homogenous entity as some scholars have argued.

中文翻译：

---

十六世纪末十七世纪初克罗伊登较富有的居民

本文考察了 16 世纪末和 17 世纪初克罗伊登较富有的居民，重点关注财富、财产所有权和社会关系方面的差异。使用遗嘱和补贴清单，确定了四大类人：绅士、自耕农、商人、工匠和寡妇。这些群体之间没有简单的财富等级；虽然绅士通常是最富有的补贴支付者，但自耕农和商人也可以算作。在社会关系和财产所有权方面存在差异。绅士们倾向于在自己的社会群体内通婚，在遗嘱中任命其他绅士作为监督，更有可能在克罗伊登以外拥有土地。自耕农和商人/工匠的社会关系更侧重于城镇本身，他们的土地购买也是如此。因此可以看到两组个体，而不是一些学者认为的同质实体。