Chatsworth loft sale

The Duke of Devonshire is clearing out Chatsworth (that is to say the stately home, not the fictional Manchester council estate) with the help of Sothebys. (Pictured: the stables.) As you'd expect, they are an interesting family - possibly even more interesting than the Gallaghers. Cavendish by name, they might have got their startup money from some opportunism during the Dissolution of the Monasteries before achieving their Earldom under James I. The 4th Duke was briefly Prime Minister - this was during a particularly rough patch towards the start of the 7 Years War. His predecessor the Duke of Newcastle had stood down in 1756 amidst heavy criticism, but would be back 6 months later. His son was the Duke in The Duchess.
The 8th Duke was a leading Liberal politician who three times turned down offers from Queen Victoria to become Prime Minister. The present Dowager Duchess, possibly the least extreme of the ever-fascinating Mitford sisters, is offering her record player at the forthcoming sale. Bidders are expected to include some who might have got their startup money from some opportunism during the dissolution of Soviet industry.

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