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Product Identifiers

PublisherHi-Story Press The Limited, T.H.E.

ISBN-100750998938

ISBN-139780750998932

eBay Product ID (ePID)13057239965

Product Key Features

Edition2

Book TitleBeyond the Gatehouse : the Eccentric Lives of the English Aristocracy

Number of Pages160 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicRich & Famous, Social History, General, Historical

Publication Year2023

FeaturesNew Edition

IllustratorYes

GenreBiography & Autobiography, History

AuthorDavid Long

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.5 in

Item Weight6.6 Oz

Item Length7.8 in

Item Width5.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

Dewey Edition23

Dewey Decimal305.5232092242

Edition DescriptionNew Edition

SynopsisBeyond the Gatehouseis a lighthearted, witty but factual biographical account of the eccentric lifestyles of the builders and residents of some of England's best-known country houses. Extraordinary buildings require extraordinary people, and over the centuries our historic houses have produced more than their fair share of oddballs. Insulated from the outside world by vast wealth, rolling acres and the social status that a title implies, aristocrats have always been able to amuse themselves - and now us - by pursuing their idiosyncratic interests and manias to the point of eccentricity. The 12th Duke of Bedford preferred parrots to people - forcing his children to steal the birds' food to make up their own meagre rations - while the 5th Duke of Portland paid his staff a bonus on the understanding they would never speak to him. The Hon. Henry Cavendish inherited a million pounds in the 1780s, but never spent more than five shillings on dinner, while more recently the 2nd Lord Rothschild spent weeks training a team of zebra to pull his carriage up the Mall and into Buckingham Palace. David Long lifts the lid on all that's bizarre, implausible, unthinkable and delightfully wacky about our glorious heritage homes and their unusual occupants., This is a lighthearted, witty but factual biographical account of the eccentric lifestyles of the builders and residents of one hundred of England's best-known country houses. Extraordinary buildings require extraordinary people, and over the centuries England's historic houses have produced more than their fair share of oddballs. Insulated from the outside world by vast wealth, rolling acres and the social status that a title implies, aristocrats have always been able to amuse themselves - and now us - by pursuing idiosyncratic interests and manias to the point of eccentricity. The 12th Duke of Bedford, for example, preferred parrots to people - forcing his children to steal the birds' food to make up their meager rations - while the 5th Duke of Portland paid his staff a bonus on the understanding they would never speak to him. The Hon. Henry Cavendish inherited £200 million at today's values, but never spent more than five shillings on dinner, while more recently the 2nd Lord Rothschild spent weeks training a team of zebra to pull his carriage up the Mall and into Buckingham Palace. Aimed squarely at the National Trust set, this lifts the lid on all that's bizarre, implausible, unthinkable and downright wacky about glorious heritage homes and their unusual occupants.

LC Classification NumberCT9990