Heirs and Graces

A History of the Modern British Aristocracy

By: Eleanor Doughty

Narrated by: Florence Howard

Brought to you by Penguin.

The fascinating new history of the British Aristocracy since the Second World War

There are fewer than 5000 people who can genuinely claim to be members of the British aristocracy, and yet they loom large in the popular consciousness. We're fascinated by their houses and estates, their lives and loves, their foibles and eccentricities. And we entertain the strong suspicion that, while they may be fellow citizens, they are very far from being People Like Us.

In Heirs and Graces Eleanor Doughty draws on her unparalleled access to a bewildering range of dukes, duchesses, earls and others to create a vivid picture of who they are and how they tick. En route she traces their progress from a post-war era when they and their like were described by one future Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer as 'selfish, depraved, dissolute and decadent' to their diverse current roles as guardians of vast ancestral mansions, farmers, financiers and much else beside. She looks at key rites of passage, from cradle, via boarding school to grave. And she tells stories of their ups and downs, and of the doings of the heroes and villains who fill their ranks.

The result is a wonderfully rich, often amusing, always revealing account of the fortunes of the aristocracy over the past century and a series of fascinating glimpses into what it is like to be an aristocrat in Britain today.

'A deeply researched and highly entertaining account' - Julian Fellowes, creator of Downtown Abbey

'This well-written, well-researched and fascinating book could not be better timed.' -
Lord (Andrew) Roberts, author of Salisbury: Victorian Titan

© Eleanor Doughty 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Critic reviews

An enthralling chronicle of the British aristocracy

A deeply researched and highly entertaining account

Meticulously researched. An interesting account of the Aristocracy which I thoroughly recommend

The publication of this well-written, well-researched and fascinating book could not be better timed

A superb survey of the aristocracy today and how we got here… A marvellous book.

Heirs and Graces is a friendly, forgiving, good- spirited book…

This detailed study of modern British aristocracy… Fascinating nuggets gleam from the densely textured background.

A surprisingly candid and stylish peek into that well-heeled world.

Eleanor Doughty is a shrewd, measured analyst, her writing aided by a lively pen and wry sense of humour.

A terrific book… Heaven. I can't recommend it enough. It would make a very good Christmas present, if I'm allowed to mention the “ C ” word this early.

Quite interesting

No real substance the stories were somewhat all over the place but I guess bits of it were interesting