Gentlemen and Blackguards by Nicholas Foulkes

Gentlemen and Blackguards by Nicholas Foulkes

This is a tale of money, gambling and sporting obsession; of rogues and rascals, outrageous criminality, aristocratic complacency, and a gripping investigation to expose the most audacious sporting plot of the age. In the early 1840s, Britain was the gambling capital of Europe and the Epsom Derby was attracting countless spectators and many millions of pounds in wagers. It was a time of frenzied speculation, high stakes and low morals. But as the unprincipled Regency era gave way to the high-mindedness of the Victorian period, reformers decided it was time to challenge the murky world of illegal gambling and in 1844, launched the far-reaching Parliamentary Enquiry. When the Derby of the same year ended in chaos, with the two favourite horses doped, the Turf's most dedicated follower and greatest tyrant Lord George Bentinck, took it upon himself to uncover the truth of what happened that day, which led to one of the most sensational court cases of the 19th century. A compelling detective story peopled with low-life aristocrats and high-minded reformers, GENTLEMEN AND BLACKGUARDS paints a rich picture of early Victorian society, bringing to light an overlooked turning point in British history.

'Foulkes tells the murky story with characteristic panache' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'Fascinating' CATHOLIC HERALD 'The book not only concerns itself with the Derby ... along the way, there are murky tales of illegal gaming houses, prize fighting, murder, suicide and duelling.' SOUTH WALES ARGUS

Formerly Associate Editor of the EVENING STANDARD's ES magazine, Nicholas Foulkes writes regularly for the FINANCIAL TIMES, COUNTRY LIFE and the MAIL ON SUNDAY's 'Night and Day'.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780753824757
ISBN 10	0753824752
Title	Gentlemen and Blackguards
Author	Nicholas Foulkes
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Orion Publishing Co
Year published	2011-05-26
Number of pages	320
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable