This book presents a detailed and absorbing portrait of the English squire through all the centuries of his existence: through the dark ages, chivalry and feudalism to the rural prosperity and cultural vitality of Tudor England; to the invention of the thoroughbred racehorse, and, in the 18th century, of modern foxhunting, and later still, shooting driven birds and dry fly fishing. At once part of and transformed by political upheaval, agricultural and industrial revolution, changes in trade and transport, taste and manners, the role of the squire was central; and after half a century of surtax, he still (just) survives today...