Elizabethan Society

Elizabethan Society was dictated by the Great Chain Of Being. This was a social hierarchy of power. The hierarchy was as follows:

God 

Cherubs

Archangels, Angels

Star controllers of Destiny

Moon

King

Church

Princes

Nobles

Man

Lion

Other Animals

Oak and Rose

Other Plants

Gold

Other Minerals

Within the social hierarchy, there were four main classes. The Nobility, The Gentry, The Yeomanry and the Poor. A Person's class dictated how they were to dress, where they lived and the jobs they had. Noblemen were rich and powerful, therefore Henry VII and other Kings and Queens rarely appointed a new nobleman. They were a threat, to there power, so liked to have minimal numbers of this class. The Gentry were people like squires, knights, and gentlemen and women who were rich enough they did not have to work with their hands. This class grew rapidly in numbers, and became most important during this time as through generations they could build wealth and titles for themselves. The Yeomanry consisted of middle-class people, who lived comfortably with the money they had, but at any time they had an illness, or famine, could lose everything. The Poor found themselves without food or shelter. Their numbers were increasing, so the Poor Law was put in place. If any poor man or women who was capable to do an honest days work but chose to, would be sentenced to death. This controlled their numbers. 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_chain_of_being)

(Isobel Bedingfield, October 2004. 'Extreme Costuming' (online).  [viewed 17/10/2014] available from: http://www.extremecostuming.com/articles/twoelizabethanhairstyles.html)

As mentioned, this hierarchy controlled every aspect of their lives. Women and men had to dress to their class, including their hair and makeup:

-The Coif, or 'Biggin' was worn by all Elizabethan children, and the poorer women and nuns. The white linen was a cheaper alternative for a head garment. The noble women would often wear coifs under their more elaborate head-pieces and hats, to simply keep the hair in place.

-The French Hood would be worn by the Noblewomen, as they were often adorned with jewels and pearls. 

-Hair worn long and down was fashioned by children and young women of all classes. This was a sign of virginity and an unmarried status.

-Hair worn up was generally worn by the older women. After marriage, hair would be swept up. This was a signal to men that they were married, another status symbol.