The English Country House Party Author:Phyllida Barstow During the golden age of English country house entertaining--from the death of Prince Albert in 1861 to the outbreak of the First World War, the great houses of England provided splendid settings for house parties over long wekends or periods of up to six weeks. In this beautifully illustrated and carefully researched book, the personalities ar... more »e brought to life and lifestyles, featuring great characters of Edwardian high society such as Lillie Langtry, Daisy Warwick (socialite turned socialist), and the Shah of Persia. The book reveals the social and political importance of the house party, describing the role of the country house in its local and national setting. The author explores decline of coutnry house living after World War I, and efforts to save these former playgrounds of the rich and famous for future generations of British and their new visitors from around the world.« less