Their Noble Lordships: How to Tell a Duke From an Earl...And Other Mysteries Solved

by Simon Winchester

Overview

Winchester writes of the peculiarly English tradition of handing law-making ability to people who have had the simple good fortune of being born into the right family. He travels the height and breadth of the British Isles in search of many of these Lords, Earls, Dukes, Viscounts, and other titled peers. Some are eccentric, many are generous, a few are resigned to their duties, while one was even helped by his fellow upper-class in the cover-up of murder. The book was actually challenged for publication by peers who did not want to be “exposed” while others championed the cause. Winchester deftly explores the subject mining anecdotes such as the necessity for the ultra-wealthy in Scotland to eat their porridge standing up and also to serve their cheese with a scoop rather than a knife.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013947429
Publisher:	212 Books
Publication date:	02/16/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	472,960
File size:	587 KB

About the Author

Simon Winchester's many books include The Professor and the Madman, The Map That Changed the World, Krakatoa, and A Crack in the Edge of the World. Each of these has been a New York Timesbestseller and has appeared on numerous best and notable lists. Mr. Winchester was made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by HM The Queen in 2006. He lives in western Massachusetts.

Hometown:

New York; Massachusetts; Scotland

Date of Birth:

September 28, 1944

Place of Birth:

London, England

Education:

M.A., St. Catherine¿s College, Oxford, 1966

Website:

http://www.simonwinchester.com