Part 1 The English aristocracy: who were the aristocracy?; the making of the aristocracy - land; the making of the aristocracy - channels of admission. Part 2 The aristocracy and the economy: the aristocratic estates; the aristocracy and the agricultural revolution; aristocratic entrepreneurs in industry; the aristocracy and communications improvements; the aristocracy and the towns; the aristocratic contribution. Part 3 The aristocracy in society and government: the aristocracy at home - social leadership; the aristocracy at home - local government; the aristocracy and the state - the consolidation of power; the aristocracy and the state - the maintenance of power; Conclusion - the decline of the aristocracy.