Black Sheep

by Christopher Sykes and Christopher Hugh Sykes

1983, Viking Adult, Hardcover, ISBN: 0670172766, Book Condition: New, Book is new has some shelf wear, 131210 13A2 This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670172766
• ISBN13: 9780670172764
• Release Date: February 1983
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An entertaining history of upper-class scandals...

If you are interested in the British aristocracy and gentry (and always wondered about the scandals hidden behind the pages of Debrett and Burke) or if you simply like to read about the messy lives of the (dead) rich and privileged, this is a great read.The book tells the stories of numerous scapegraces (nearly all male and mostly titled) over centuries. Yes, there is the notorious Earl of Rochester (he who wrote the witty epitaph about Charles II) and the dancing/acting fifth Marquess of Anglesey. There are some lesser known scapegraces, including an heir to a Duke of Grafton (who fortunately did not inherit the title), a younger son of the war hero Marquess of Anglesey (who lost his leg at Waterloo), and some others. Some families such as the Pagets and the Herveys are well-represented. Others are not. Each noble family has probably had its black sheep, but for reasons of space and possibly fear of libel, the author focused his attention on a few peers and their unsatisfactory offspring. Some of the tales in this volume, including the fate of the Tylney-Long heiress and the charming elder daughter of the Earl of Burlington, are fairly chilling. Others are almost amusing, such as the story of the fifth Marquess of Anglesey (except for his unhappy cousin/wife, the author's maternal grandmother by her second marriage). This is not a deeply reflective book. However, you might wonder to what extent the system of primogeniture, the class divisions in British society, and the legal and social barriers to women (among others) are reflected in the stories of these black sheep. Would William Wellesley-Pole have still managed to make his wife's life a misery in the 20th century? Possibly, although not under the same legal conditions and constraints.If you want a more detailed and thoroughly sourced book, I recommend Lawrence Stone, particularly his books about divorce in the English upper classes. His case studies, while less colorfully written, are almost as heartwrenching - and they cover many minor gentry as well address the woman's perspective.Nevertheless, BLACK SHEEP was a fun read for what it set out to do. The only quibbles I had were the lack of sources (where did Sykes get all his information?). Also, I wish the book had not limited its coverage to just three centuries. A prequel volume (medieval and Tudor black sheep) and a sequel (20th century black sheep) would certainly round up the coverage.

Fascinating anecdotal history of titled scapegraces

Every well-placed family produces an occasional profligate, bounder, or cad. Well, so does every ordinary family, but "black sheep" with titles get more press. After investigating the effects of primogeniture on the younger sons of the English aristocracy ? especially in a earlier era when lack of prospects could not be readily balanced by a talent for commerce or the arts ? Sykes regales the reader with the lurid exploits of "mad drinkers" such as John Wilmot, earl of Rochester (known as "Rake Rochester") and champion spendthrifts such as the 5th marquess of Anglesey, who died at the age of thirty having gone through more than £50 million. Then there was the infamous John Knatchbull, younger son of a baronet and brother of one of Robert Peel's ministers, who destroyed his promising naval career with gambling debts and later was transported to Australia for picking pockets. He was subsequently convicted of forgery and further exiled to tiny Norfolk Island; after serving that sentence he committed a brutal murder and was publicly hanged at Sydney in 1844. An altogether entertaining look at the side of the aristocracy Debrett's chooses to ignore.

Wonderfully salacious

You don't have to kick over too many stones in the history of the British Aristocracy to find some wonderfully salacious stories. Sykes has done a marvellous job of not only finding them but presenting them.I really enjoyed this book because it didn't fall into that typical trap of reverting to simply shocking, and generally unproved stories presented in a tabloid way. The people Sykes used were well researched and he went to great pains to present us, where possible with fully rounded characters. For instance the problems the first Marquess of Anglesey had with his wayward son is presented mostly through the letters which passed between them, allowing their voices - and the deterioration of the relationship - to be made obvious. Most of the stories are well known, and can be found in easily in other sources (Duchess of Kingston, Countess of Essex, Earls of Waldegrave & c.,) - but it is nice collection of reprobates to add to the library shelf.I don't usually have too much affection for these books of collected stories - I think they are hard to do well as authors often try to cover too broad a topic, with too minimal an understanding of each individual they are trying to represent. But having read Sykes book, and Jane Aiken Hodge's 'Passion and Principle' I am beginning to think their might be more merit in them than I first thought.Both books love their subjects and enjoy discovering them further without trying to spread old myths simply because it will sell more books. Indeed these stories in 'Black Sheep' need absolutely no dressing up to make them interesting, From noble Earls who pimp their wives and daughters to their servants, to effeminate Marquesses who enjoy dressing up in bejewelled costumes and dancing on stage - along with every species of deviant behaviour in between from gambling to simple pride - its all in here. Great fun, wonderfully salacious and altogether good reading.