"Built isolated country estates that couldn’t be sold, divided, or used productively.
Maintained expensive social obligations through parties, hunts, charity, and local governance.
Avoided socializing or marrying within the merchant or professional classes."
Feels like at least some of this can be explained by the notion that country seats are beautiful, parties are fun and the people want status amongst their ingroup
"Built isolated country estates that couldn’t be sold, divided, or used productively.
Maintained expensive social obligations through parties, hunts, charity, and local governance.
Avoided socializing or marrying within the merchant or professional classes."
Feels like at least some of this can be explained by the notion that country seats are beautiful, parties are fun and the people want status amongst their ingroup