Flamboyant, cultured and refined, aristocracy is often seen as a national treasure. Lords of Misrule takes a different view and considers the role of an aristocracy behaving badly. This is a book about the political, social and moral failings of aristocracy and the ways in which they have featured in political rhetoric. Drawing on the views of critics of aristocracy, it explores the dark side of power without responsibility. Less 'patrician paragons' than dissolute and debauched debtors, the aristocrats featured here undermined, rather than augmented, the fabric of national life. For the first time, Lords of Misrule recaptures the views of those radicals and reformers who were prepared to contemplate a Britain without aristocrats.
- ISBN13 9781403932211
- Publish Date 10 November 2004 (first published 1 January 2004)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 5 November 2009
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Palgrave Macmillan
- Edition 2004 ed.
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 233
- Language English