Status is primarily what matters because of what goes with it - someone who was lower class a 1000 years ago wouldn't even have the education to know what disease or antibiotics were (the king probably wouldn't have that big of a grasp either), BUT they could afford to do something about it, they would have the power and privilege of doing so. But perspective is important too.

Here's a way to put it from our perspective. Let's say we have someone who is a wealthy today, like Donald Trump. We go to Trump and we offer him a deal: He can travel 1000 years into the future, however, he must leave all current technology and wealth behind. He will also be guaranteed to have a lower social status than he has today, such as a fast food worker in our time, however, he will not be told what kind wealth or technology his future self holds. Would he, or any of us take that gamble?

What if it were the reverse? Would someone who is lower class today, such as that fast food worker was offered that same opportunity, only instead of having a lower social position, he would have a social position to that equivalent of what Trump holds today. He will also not be told what kind of technology or wealth will be at disposal when he arrives. Would he take that gamble?