High Society

High Society by Venetia Murray. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780670857586.

Passion, Politics and Privilege: the Regency aristocracy lived through one of the most romantic and turbulent ages of British history. In High Society, Venetia Murray chronicles the daily life of that glittering circle of rakes and dandies, duchesses and courtesans, pugilists and patrons. It is a vivid account which details their scandals and courtships, duels and debts, lavish banquets and outrageous gambling; the story switches from the drawing rooms of Mayfair and the arrival of the waltz to the gin palaces of the East End, from the servants hall at Chatsworth to the treadmill at Brixton gaol, from the southern seaside resorts to the Northern Meetings and from the introduction of income tax to the publication of Emma by Jane Austen. High Society is based on original material from the Royal Archives at Windsor and the Chatsworth Archives and makes use of contemporary accounts, diaries, menus, letters and memoirs from figures as diverse as Princess Lieven and Harriette Wilson, Charles Greville and a London footman. It is illustrated throughout with rare cartoons and prints from Simon Hencages unique collection, many of which have not been seen in print before. The satirical giants of the period - Gillray, Rowlandson, George Cruikshank - are all here represented in both black and white and brilliant colour.