THE NOBLEMAN'S PARADISE 159
Diagram I. Social Groups in the Sixteenth Century
a) Accoring to the Poll-tax of 1520
b) Tax Brackets, (after A. Wyczanski)over all their members in holy orders as well as over their lands and properties.
The numerous and frequently poverty-striken lower clergy were subject to the
ecclesiastical hierarchy, and in some cases to the noble patrons of their
benefices.
The Burghers traced their origins to the medieval incorporation of cities.
Their royal charters guaranteed them control of municipal self-government