The Aristocracy - Survival of the Fittest: 1970-1997 2nd part

The Aristocracy series was originally aired on the BBC. Each episode explores a period in the history of Britain's noble classes. Focusing on the changing status of this class in the modern world, each tape offers a glimpse into a world only the privileged are intimately familiar with. In this particular episode, viewers explore the present and future of the storied social class. Booming property values and the increase in value of many private art collections have led to a remarkable reversal of fortune for many members of Britain's monied elite. As this video shows, the nobility of England still exert remarkable influence throughout their nation. ~ Rob Ferrier, Rovi
BBC:
The last in a series looking at the dramatic changes in the fortunes of Britain's titled classes over the past 120 years examines how the aristocrats have fared since 1970.
First broadcast: 19 Feb 1997

[@LadyVictoriaBelmont]

I swear the start of this episode I kept expecting John Cleese to walk in and say And Now For Something Completely Different.

[@sunnyhill5119]

His artwork, including a Ruebens, fetched 19 million plus.😱The duke got his much needed cash.💯👍

[@mcelanov]

Sir Josslyn Gore-Booth is jolly funky.

[@rankingtrevor]

Josslyn Gore-Booth (chap at the start of this clip) is almost a walking caricature. So aristocratic and toff-ish its like a parody. The pronunciation, the walk, the bow tie, the rosy cheeks. Amazing how the BBC wont re-show this 1990s masterpiece and only American sellers, offer this enitre series, ON BLOODY VHS!!!!!!

[@nawwarazmi3215]

Qqqqqqqqqqqqpqqqqqqqpa

[@truthseeking6611]

He looks very likeable.

[@g-man8705]

He looks as if he's been on a skiing holiday and forgotten the suncream

[@nikkil764]

Sadly great architecture is a thing of the past. We’ve been convinced that the glass and white stucco boxes of the proletariat are great architecture because we no longer have the skilled artisans to produce anything else.

[@maggiegeorge5146]

Very true

[@sunnyhill5119]

@@maggiegeorge5146 Ms. Maggie, did you happen to attend school in Jackson, Tennessee in 1990-1991. I ask because my cousin had a classmate in college whose name was Maggie George. She was a lovely girl. Just wondering is that you?

[@maggiegeorge5146]

@@sunnyhill5119 Sorry, no I did not.

[@sunnyhill5119]

@@maggiegeorge5146 Thanks for replying👍

[@maggiegeorge5146]

@@sunnyhill5119 You're welcome

[@jame1seire]

I am not a toff-worshiper, but I do have to say that keeping a landmark and living museum piece alive is worthy of a societies'" time. When you have grand houses of course you will have envy. But in truth they are a national treasure...the people may take possession at any time.

[@gematria79]

Excellent series on history. I love the interviews with those who can still remember this self- indulgent era. All history is a warning, "those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it". The 1% of this world want to repeat this lifestyle at the expense of 99% of humanity. If they recreate this economic disparity they will repeat their FALL as well.

[@koko20467]

gematria79 -- More children of rich families but not aristocracy are more indulging than these people. Do you want to take away from people who are better off than you?

[@semiramisbonaparte1627]

SORRY YOURE WRONG. THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED WITH PROPER LAND MANAGEMENT LIKE ANTEBELLUM FRENCH COLONIAL AMERICA. MY FAMILY HAD MUCH WEALTH AND LAND WHICH IN TURN MADE MONEY FOR THEM IN SYNC WITH NATURE. NOT GREEDY AND IRRESPONSIBLE SPOILED BRATS WHO SQUANDER MONEY AND BY GREED SQUANDER THE LAND AND RESOURCES THROUGH "INDUSTRIAL" PURSUITS.

[@elizabethwilk9615]

Well at least they care about culture, architecture etc. Unlike the new money who are vulgar and care little about preserving history and sharing the beauty of their homes

[@MRGAMAJAVRDDJB]

God Bless all the people that were born to this way of life. I believe all are Blessed and chained to this way of life. I Love all the British people💜

[@Zachw2007]

Being a noble seems like a great thing to me. Just think of all the people you'd meet here, there, and everywhere else.

[@jackr1779]

The Duchess of Devonshire was a wonderful lady.

[@annettekleynhans7956]

I’ve watched the whole series up to this caricature...... just can’t go on.

[@gorillaglue7232]

Who cares?

[@PRmoustache88]

He seems very happy.

[@koko20467]

maskedavenger777 - And very drunk

[@pps900]

@@koko20467 very, very drunk

[@elizabethwilk9615]

I appreciate the proper English and the fine manners. I don't think the Earl is a caricature as the comments here state. He seems like a man who appreciates what he wa s born into I guess many can envy him but it must not be easy to be him nor carry the weight of keeping up that homebsince it is a treasure. . . Am not British yet my grandfather was and I never met him since he passed before I was born. I lovethe preservation of traditions, architecture, art and customs.

[@Grania52]

Freud's portrait of the Duchess should be titled, "Despair".

[@Grania52]

Did that "footman" actually stand on the banquet table in his stockinged feet in order to place the centerpiece? Where is Alastair Bruce when you need him?

[@sonofalbasteelman3842]

I've usually seen the surname Carew-Pole as Pole-Carew. Anyway they would be pronounced Carey-Pool and Pool-Carey.

[@jeanne2583-w1n]

"Countless shirttail relations," with the smug attitude and yet, those shirttail relations today probably have a better quality of life. I'm not saying I think he's unkind. I think he has no idea. He says the ways of the early 20th century aristocrats are important to him. I understand that. I think most of us are most "secure" when we have traditions.

[@dforscher]

they all think to keep the estate, due to taxes, how to earn. I wonder if the queen and royal family endure the same. if not, it is the best way to kick out other landlords and become the only landlord in the island.

[@elliegreen4738]

All that agricultural land wasted on commercial daffodil growing when it could be used for food production.

[@hiramdominicus7413]

At first glance, Sad and empty people at its best where their only rely to exist is the material stuff around them............

[@SarahJones-wy5us]

Hiram Dominicus..At first glance you have made a shallow sweeping statement that is at least a shabby portrayal of aristocracy and all the efforts and time most of them put in to maintain these glorious stately homes,sad no, no bloody time to ,be sad too much to do, as for empty I think not.

[@mscott3918]

Far from sad and empty. Far too busy ensuring that our history is maintained, employment given, public duties under and public being welcomed. I should rather say that going out to work, going home and flopping in front of the television, doing nothing special for anyone and not caring about your country is sad and empty. Can't write more. I have to go out to make sure that any trees blown down by gales aren't obstructing roads, see that repairs are being done to property damaged by wind and making sure that the animals on the farm are alright. Wish I had time to sit and write meaningless drivel and be sad and empty.

[@remsorian3]

I LOVE YOU,.,

[@lostindiancamp]

150 people to run one household No wonder so many of these English estates went into ruin. You would have to possess extreme wealth at all times to keep up with that many salaries. Not that I feel the least bit sorry for any of them, they are entirely too entitled and have no use in this world except to be waited on.

[@Zachw2007]

I disagree, Erica.

[@dekubaner]

they are/were only entitled in the sense that they had power in politics and the say of the entire nation while the vast majority of the population had no voice. on the other hand, their wealth( land ) was acquired partially by grants or hand outs from the king ( head of government and state ) because their ancestors excelled in battles or other government duties. they were the product of their times. their biggest mistake was not to foresee what was coming ( reduction of income ) and the unwillingness to work since that was seen as not gentlemanly. by the time they realized they were in trouble financially it was too late for most of them.

[@peggyt1243]

The servants did not earn much, something like 50 pounds a year.

[@peggyt1243]

Slaves had no rent, bills, food costs etc.

[@luannefarmer]

as there is a minimum wage rate law in England, its more like £8 per hour

[@piiiyathedon3486]

one word.....lord rothschild

[@edronc2007]

Eh?

[@beeparr8617]

@@edronc2007 ye

[@pps900]

Haha.. one SURNAME. Rothschilds.

[@flake452]

I'd rather work in Mcdonalds than have to call someone "your grace".

[@koko20467]

flake452. -- Unless the person you address to is really a disgrace, it's no harm to call her grace.

[@mscott3918]

Yuen Leung Exactly. Although the late Duchess of Bedford, who was French, used to say that being called Your Grace sounded to her like the French for you're fat.

[@huub1989]

That’s perfectly fine, off you go to your burger flipping.......enjoy!

[@ageofechochambers9469]

Instead you'll call every drunk McDonald's customer ( sir or ma'am ) It's all the same working for a Duke or a corporation your basically a serf

[@arrystophanes7909]

Appallingly narrow creatures

[@amir1a123]

"Lairs of existence"? Fair enough. I guess existence can be a bit of a lair at times

[@ryanm5395]

Layers of existence I think

[@peggyt1243]

They certainly are/were an entitled bunch.

[@dekubaner]

at least they had high standards in culture and more, unlike the new entitled poor who expect hand outs from the government even when they are able bodied individuals, listen to rap all days and reproduce like rats.

[@mscott3918]

No more entitled than some benefit claimants who think that the taxpayer owes them a living

[@dissilymordentroge5818]

All that money and he dresses like that.. ERK !