An Elegant Madness

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.

First sentence: The years of the Regency have come to be synonymous with an elegance and style which are unique in the history of English culture: but they tend to be seen through a romantic haze.

Year

1999

Language

English

Publisher

Penguin (Non-Classics)

Editions

2

Pages

352

ISBN

9780140282962

Data source: Wikidata