squirarchy
/ˈskwaɪrɑːrki/
noun
- A social or political system in which power is held by the landed gentry or squires.
- In the 1700s, much of England was governed by a squirarchy that controlled local courts.
- The novel satirized the squirarchy's influence over village life.
- Historians debate whether the squirarchy helped or hindered economic progress.
Synonyms