貴族制はほんの何世代か前まで、ヨーロッパ諸国の歴史に社会的、経済的そして組織的な面で権勢をふるってきました。本書はそれにまつわる通説や思い込みをとりはらい、際立つ支配力を誇ったエリートたちがいかに権力を維持していったのか、また最終的にはなぜその権力を失うに至ったのかについて繙きます。
   

• Examines the definitions, structure, and behaviour of aristocracies, challenging some of the myths about them
• Analyses their origins and considers the wider impact of their behaviour
• Looks at the continuing influence of class to this day

  
Aristocracies or nobilities dominated the social, economic, and institutional history of all European counties until only a few generations ago. The relics of their power, in traditions and behaviour, in architecture and the arts, are still all around us. 
  
This short introduction shows how ideas of aristocracy originated in ancient times, were transformed in the middle ages, and have only fallen apart over the last two centuries. The myths in which aristocracies have always sought to shroud themselves are stripped away, but the true sources of their enduring power are also revealed. Their outlook and behaviour affected the rest of society in innumerable and sometimes surprising ways, but perhaps most surprising was the way in which a centuries-old aristocratic hegemony crumbled away over the last two hundred years. In this Very Short Introduction William Doyle considers why this happend and what remains today.
 
 
Reading Guide
This short introduction shows how ideas of aristocracy originated in ancient times, were transformed in the Middle Ages, and have only fallen apart over the last two centuries. The myths in which aristocracies have always sought to shroud themselves are stripped away, but the true sources of their enduring power are also revealed. Their outlook and behaviour affected the rest of society in innumerable and sometimes surprising ways, but perhaps most surprising was the way in which a centuries-old aristocratic hegemony crumbled away over the last two hundred years. In this Very Short Introduction William Doyle considers why this happened and what remains today.