People of the middling sort were rare in the 16th and 17th century. In the arable areas of Essex, most people were either farm labourers (i.e. essentially, peasants) or were part of the small, all-powerful gentry.
Saffron Walden Historical Journal No 28 (Autumn 2014)
The beautiful gold Saxon Ring acquired by Saffron Walden Museum, found in the fields of NW Essex, is featured with a splendid colour photograph on the front cover of the Saffron Walden Historical Journal, No 28