[Closed] The Landed Gentry

Would you immediately dislike someone on the basis of their background, or are you prepared to give them a chance regardless?

This is STW, of course no-one will give anyone a chance if they're in a different socio-economic group.

There are two groups of people in the world, "me" and "everyone else". I hate everyone who isn't in the "me" group, I don't make any distinctions for socio economic groupings, its just "me" and "everybody else".

Don't automatically dislike the person, but certainly dislike any system that allows a person to live off the backs of others purely by virtue of birthright. Just seems fundementally unjust. I suppose my view would be different if I had been born with the luxury of wealth, privilege and property...

What MSP said. You bunch of ****s!!!

Object to the landed gentry? One is having a laaarf, isn't one?

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In my limited experience, those who have been born into an estate / land wich has been passed down through a few generations are preferable to the nouveau riche.

Like I say, limited experience though..

live off the backs of others purely by virtue of birthrigh

Who exactly do you mean by that?

Don't automatically dislike the person, but certainly dislike any system that allows a person to live off the backs of others purely by virtue of birthright. Just seems fundementally unjust.

How? If you work hard and make good decisions all your life, would you not want your children to benefit when you die? If not, do you intend on leaving your house etc to the state or charity?

A rambler was stopped by a landowner from crossing his land. The rambler asked "How come it's your land, then?"

The landowner said: "It's mine because my ancestors fought for it."

"OK", said the rambler, "take off your coat and I'll fight you for it now"...

On the other hand, there's "self-made" landowning charmers like this one: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3301361.stm

=1 for the Nouveau Riche comment.

in my experience, most of the hatred comes from people who have never actually spent any time with the 'landed gentry' - certianly from my time on shoots etc, the real 'old money' set were both down to earth, and very concious of the privileged position that they had been fortunate enough to be born into.

Tend to be very nice people. Objectionable system.

Grew up in an area dominated by a large country estate. Some land had been sold off to smaller independent farmers, as had some houses in the village. other than that the estate owned everything, including the church, village pub, village hall, all the houses (which hadn't been sold off etc).

All by dint of inheritance...

On the other hand, Sir John, was a very nice chap (direct, engaging, humorous, time for people), and his heir, Richard, likewise is well respected.

They have their own "issues" to deal with. Estate is worth a lot of money, but that is locked up in the property. Not easy to make it work and generate sufficient income to cover the estate overheads. Main house passed over to the National Trust to "preserve" although the family still live there.

Where I fall out with the system is that any access - shooting, walking, cycling is either barred, restricted or entirely discretionary.

I used to shoot on the estate, but that meant keeping in with the keeper and going on pigeon / vermin shoots. the system works on patronage, at all levels. That isn't what I desire for our county. I was brought up to believe in a meritocracy.

ETA - agree with the points above. The gentry I have been involved with have a very strong belief in their "custody" of the countryside rather than "ownership" (although of course, they do own..)

If not, do you intend on leaving your house etc to the state or charity

Sod the state! In fact, sod people! Donkey Sanctuaries are where its at

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They'll be really grateful, and put in a word with god. Everyone knows donkeys have a hotline to god since the whole Bethlehem thing

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My first wifes father owned a large farm in Lincolnshire. All inherited from his father etc.

I reckon he was the hardest working man I've ever met, so I wouldn't begrudge him anything.

Just wondering where these negative attitudes come from i.e. experience? ideology? jealousy?

In my case the negative attitude comes from ideology.

In my limited experience, those who have been born into an estate / land wich has been passed down through a few generations are preferable to the nouveau riche.

Oh definitely, nothing worse than 'new money', and what they do with that money.

I don't hold anything at all against those born into wealth, good for them.

Did he keep donkeys on his farm? Are they native to Lincolnshire?

I love donkeys.

Isn't that illegal?

Dont ask dont tell.

Its jealousy....people on this forum are vitriolic in their disdain for inherited wealth, rich kids using their parents money etc....

Funnily enough these same people are happy to fund their own off spring through university and see nothing wrong with leaving their house for their children either....same principal just a different scale.

Most people are hypocritical on this issue.

My own opinion is that the wealth was earned at some point....it may have been earned hundreds of years ago but it was still earned....nobody ever got given money for nothing (lottery wins are a modern phenomenon)....'old money' often came from raising an army and showing loyalty to a particular Monarch (massive risk if you back the wrong side) and recieving land in return....or somebody got off their arse and built up a business that became hugely successful and still provides an income or was sold for a fortune....

....but because people have very short memories they just see a rich person who doesnt work and they seethe with rage....very sad people, they should enjoy their own lives more instead of raging over what they dont have.

I don't think most people give a moments thought to the 'landed gentry'

Until someone says "you can't ride your bike here"

Then suddenly they're the most hated people on the planet

dislike any system that allows a person to live off the backs of others purely by virtue of birthright

Eh?

If it's been legally handed to them as their inheritance, then what's unjust about it?

Oh definitely, nothing worse than 'new money', and what they do with that money.

I don't hold anything at all against those born into wealth, good for them.

Just out of curiosity, what's the alternative?

Pass all of your estate to the state when you die?

hmmmm. I'd rather old money kept it than give it to an inept government.

My own opinion is that the wealth was earned at some point.

Some of it may have been, for others it was a gift from royalty for being a suckass.

Dont worry, the usual suspects will be along shortly to tell us that earnings should be capped at 100k....inheritance should be consigned to history and we should all live in identical houses a short bike ride from our place of work....oh joy.

... and eat nothing but lentils.

OK whose ass do I gots to suck for some land?

Ass/donkey - much the same, yeah?

Jealousy pure and simple.

Most of the larger land owners have done loads for their area and community.

Of the ones I have met most are great and down to earth.

Unlike some who feel entitled and carry a massive chip on their shoulders.

And so much better than some of the "New Money" lot

Ass/donkey - much the same, yeah?

Ideology on my part. Read up on how the "landed gentry" got hold of the land in the first place e.g. Enclosure Acts etc....

There are two groups of people in the world, "me" and "everyone else". I hate everyone who isn't in the "me" group, I don't make any distinctions for socio economic groupings, its just "me" and "everybody else".

This x infinity

edit- everybody else is also covered by "you"

Its jealousy....people on this forum are vitriolic in their disdain for inherited wealth, rich kids using their parents money etc....

Opposition to the monarchy as expressed by many on this forum is based on "jealousy" ? Are you sure about about that ?

Are you sure it has nothing to do with an ideological belief that rights should come before privileges, and they are simply jealous that they are not the sovereign ruler of the UK ?

[b]Donkey!!![/b]

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ernie, not talking about the Monarchy....even in a republic there would still be inherited land, wealth etc for people to get their knickers in a twist about.

There's one now.

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Don't worry

Mr Perry will [url= http://www.channel4.com/programmes/in-the-best-possible-taste-grayson-perry/episode-guide/series-1 ]reveal all[/url] on C4 next week

Of course - being born into wealth and privelege - I'd HATE that! I'd IMMEDIATELY give it all away...

Did you watch last nights fasthaggis? A quality programme raising some interesting points, fronted by an extremely talented fruit-loop, and with some amazing results?

Whatever next?

ernie, not talking about the Monarchy....even in a republic there would still be inherited land, wealth etc for people to get their knickers in a twist about.

So you can accept then that some people can be opposed to inherited wealth and privileges, such as enjoyed by some of the House of Lords landed gentry, without it being a jealousy issue, but an ideological one. Excellent.

Envy from me.

Mainly envy that my forefathers in the 1640s picked the wrong bloody side and condemned me to a life of work.

I'm open to the idea of somebody being opposed based on ideology but the acid test would be to look at ordinary people who have perhaps held these views and then won the lottery....i wonder how many of them will give the money away or donate it to charity when they die instead of hypocritically passing it on to their children?

The thread title is "The Landed Gentry". The Landed Gentry is a specific social class in much the same way as the monarchy is. Although they generally have much more political power.

Did you watch last nights fasthaggis?

I did binners,an interesting take on things.
That's the only one of the series that I have seen,so I will watch the
first program tonight.
I wish I had known about the other side of his life when I knew him in London .
He was always good fun at the pub after some of the Beastway races,but it was mostly bike and motorbike chat.

mrlebowski, by "dislike any system that allows a person to live off the backs of others purely by virtue of birthright" I meant; a traditional British social class, consisting of land owners who could live entirely off rental income.

I suppose they will come across as nicer than the self made millionaire set, They would be quite laid back and comfortable in their situation, in comparison it must take a fairly specific personality type to aggressively aquire such large wealth over a short time. Rarely do omeletes get made without breaking eggs.

wrecker - Member

How? If you work hard and make good decisions all your life, would you not want your children to benefit when you die? If not, do you intend on leaving your house etc to the state or charity?

Of course, and I admit to a bit of selfish hypocrisy in my post, I am human. however the remnants of basically a feudal society that are still going strong in this country are a long way from what you describe. Call me a lefty if you like, but it is the [i]hugely disproportionate[/i] unearned and undeserved privilege that results in the inequality that I find distasteful.