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The Fall of the Aristocracy?

© Simon Hill

Landowners have traditionally been unusually powerful in Scotland, even compared to England which has a reputation for possessing a strong aristocracy. The landowning classes' monopoly of wealth was challenged by businessmen and entrepreneurs and went into decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their power was also challenged by the new mass democracy, the Great Reform Act of 1832 had increased the franchise and subsequent acts increased it further. Urban issues were becoming more important than rural issues with the growth of major cities. Yet, despite all this a survey in 1872 revealed that 659 individuals owned 80% of Scotland, in fact only 118 owned 50%. This was the most concentrated pattern of landownership in the whole of Europe.

The aristocracy in Britain started off small, immensely wealthy and with a predominant share of the political power. They ruled Britain through high level positions in the military, the civil service, the judiciary and the church. Over time, titles declined in importance and wealth became the main qualification. The aristocracy were greatly replenished in Britain by the nouveau riche, who clamoured for newly created titles. In 1830 there had been a total of 364 peerages in England and Wales, yet by 1957 there were 842 titles.

During the 18th century the duty of bestowing titles fell under the power of the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet. Predictably enough they gave titles to their supporters. The sale of honours was also revealed in a scandal in 1922 during a House of Commons debate, this led to tighter control thereafter. The Royal commission appointed to look into the affair found that political parties had traditionally rewarded people for their service by bestowing honours on them and that all parties seemed to agree on this principal. This is still the situation today.

From the late 19th century into the early 20th century landownership became less profitable and the cost of maintenance was rising. Many estates were sold off, often to pay death duties, and they were bought up by those who had made new fortunes abroad or in the rapidly growing business world. By the 1920's the Central Landowners Association estimated that the aristocracy was disposing of 700,000 acres a year. There was a serious lack of sympathy or support for the aristocracy because of doubts about their usefulness.

The picture appears to be one of decline, however, sociologists McCrone and Morris suggest that there is a transformation of landed power rather than a decline. They argue that the aristocracy enter new forms of economic activity and that, although lessened, they still exercise political power. The aristocracy cleverly assume a hold over the growing 'heritage industry' which gives them a new cultural legitimation. They created a false image of themselves as Scotland's groundskeepers in an attempt to tie up their past with that of the nation. In this way history becomes a means of justifying the social order.

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