Rough count, that's more than half the population.

Fun show, a little strange.

Now waiting for S. 2 to show up.

There is another series this month, called "frontier" which is an obvious copy of Taboo, not quite the same standard, tho.
I do enjoy watching Alun Armstrong in it, however.

Thanks dixiegrrrrl!

they were below paupers and vagrants? wow, that is surprising to me.

...and I was right.

This was a time of massive income inequality. Being a soldier meant clothing, food, shelter and a small wage. The higher classes saw them as "surplus population" and so casualties in wars were no big deal. And their career path was pretty much limited, they may rise in rank...but not very far. The goal was to live long enough to be useless on the front lines and put into other roles away from the main battle or in a spot that was far less dangerous.

But if you had some really good experience, you could opt to become a mercenary and make more money.

The ones with "cushy" ranks and watched the battle from a safe distance and barked orders, were reserved for those in the upper classes. The only time they were seriously in danger, when they made a really bad decision.

Of course, this was an "out" if you were male...females didn't have this option.

.

Just saying

This is the goal of Russiapublicans and global oligarchs.