An Elegant Madness

By Venetia Murray

Subjects: England, social life and customs, Aristocracy (social class), History, Nobility, Decoration and ornament, Nobility, great britain, Regency style, Great britain, history, 19th century, Elite (Social sciences), Gentry, Regency, Social life and customs, Gentry, great britain, Elite (social sciences), Upper class, Aristocracy (Social class)

Description: The Regency aristocracy lived through one of the most romantic and turbulent ages in British history, an era that spanned the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, that witnessed unprecedented industrial progress, artistic accomplishment, and violent social unrest and -- paradoxically -- the most sparkling social scene English high society has ever enjoyed. Under the influence of the excessively fat, loose-moraled Prince of Wales, the Regency became the very apex of British decadence, an era of lavish parties, ferocious gossip, relentless bed hopping, and notorious gambling that set a standard for elegance and vulgarity. - Jacket flap.