Social and economic change on Lancashire landed estates during the nineteenth century, with special reference to the Clifton Estate, 1832-1916
One of the most fascinating aspects of 19th century social history is the adaptability and the capacity for survival shown by many of Britain's landed families. Admittedly they were increasingly moving on to the defensive. By the end of the century their collective social and political influence had undergone considerable erosion and their economic supremacy was under challenge. Indeed, by the end of the Great War, British society was fast moving into an age in which the landed aristocracy was no longer the dominant force it had once been. Nevertheless, the experience of Britain's landed elite was not one of sudden decline and collapse; rather it took the form of a gradual eclipse. Indeed, if the overall position of landed society in 1914 was considerably weaker than it had been a hundred years before, then it was still remarkably impressive for all that. Certainly the wealth of the aristocratic leadership was even more prodigious than ever. In this respect, industrialisation did not just create a new generation of Lancashire ~worthies it also reinforced at least the financial standing of long-established families. In fact, by the end of the century, Lancashire's leading magnates - Derby, Sefton, Devonshire,
Rogers, G.
History
Social and economic change on Lancashire landed estates during the nineteenth century, with special reference to the Clifton Estate, 1832-1916. One of the most fascinating aspects of 19th century social history is the adaptability and the capacity for survival shown by many of Britain's landed families. Admittedly they were increasingly moving on to the defensive. By the end of the century their collective social and political influence had undergone considerable erosion and their economic supremacy was under challenge. Indeed, by the end of the Great War, British society was fast moving into an age in which the landed aristocracy was no longer the dominant force it had once been. Nevertheless, the experience of Britain's landed elite was not one of sudden decline and collapse; rather it took the form of a gradual eclipse. Indeed, if the overall position of landed society in 1914 was considerably weaker than it had been a hundred years before, then it was still remarkably impressive for all that. Certainly the wealth of the aristocratic leadership was even more prodigious than ever. In this respect, industrialisation did not just create a new generation of Lancashire ~worthies it also reinforced at least the financial standing of long-established families. In fact, by the end of the century, Lancashire's leading magnates - Derby, Sefton, Devonshire,
social_economic_change lancashire land_estate special_reference estate aspects_social history adaptability capacity survival show many britain land family increasingly move defensive collective social_political influence undergone considerable erosion economic supremacy challenge indeed end great_war british_society fast move age land aristocracy longer dominant force nevertheless experience britain land elite sudden decline collapse rather take_form gradual eclipse indeed overall position land considerably weak still remarkably impressive that certainly wealth aristocratic leadership even ever respect industrialisation create_new generation lancashire also reinforce least financial stand long_established family fact lancashire lead derby