The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy

by Mr David Cannadine (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1992

  $11.40

  This study is a history of the British aristocracy as it unfolded during the last century. The author recounts the process by which the notable and nobles lost their wealth, power and prestige, political assault mounted by Lloyd George, the terrible human cost extracted by the World War I, the breakup of great, landed estates in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and the erosion of the traditional system of titles and honours. The author shows how the aristocracy tried to cope with the tide of events that led to their decline. They made careers for themselves as shareholders or heiress-hunters, novelists or Kenyan adventurers, ornamental directors or successful businessmen. They fought valiantly (and vainly) to protect the House of Lords, the Church of England, the agricultural economy and the union with Ireland, all of which is detailed in this book.

• Used

  Paperback
  2005

  $20.63

  At the outset of the 1870s, the British aristocracy could rightly consider themselves the most fortunate people on earth: they held the lion's share of land, wealth and power in the world's greatest empire. By the end of the 1930s they had lost not only a generation of sons in the First World War, but also much of their prosperity, prestige and political significance.David Cannadine shows how this shift came about and how it was reinforced in the aftermath of the Second World War. Lucidly written and sparkling with wit, The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy is a landmark study that dramatically changes our understanding of British social history