The sedulous Stanleys: power at Knowsley Hall

The Earls of Derby have a long tradition of cultural patronage, as this collection of essaysArt, Animals and Politicsdemonstrates. Edited by the indefatigable Stephen Lloyd, it is the product of a conference that took place at Knowsley Hall in 2013, described by contributor David Starkey as a little bit like Knowsley itselfa huge accumulation of various bits and pieces a statement of the variety of a great aristocratic house, all the things they get into and do.In fact, the book is less pieceme