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Date Posted: 15:34:49 10/25/07 Thu
Author: pamelalass
Subject: Right. Thanks maddie. I couldn't remember which order they went in for the "assignments" handed out to the second vs. the third son. Does this mean that the Greys are an unusually military family, since it's not just John with the regiment? I'm not familiar enough with the intersection of military leadership and the landed aristocracy -- presumably as either Pardloe or Melton, Hal (or their father) wouldn't have needed to serve in the military to gain status, recognition, or wealth? Perhaps this was his chosen sphere of influence, akin to the way titled men could take up politics by actively engaging in the Lords, etc. And Maj. John Grey's career does demonstrate that military service could lead to privileged political appointments (not Ardsmuir, perhaps, but his other governorship!).
In reply to: maddiej 's message, "Yes, in families with titles and/or property, the oldest son took both. The idea being that to split the estate among several children would dilute it, and thus deprive the family as a whole of influence. So a second son usually did buy a commission and enter the army (the navy, sometimes, but this was considered much lower class), and the third son--if there was one--often joined the church. If you look at the way English society operated during the 14th-late 19th centuries, you can see why this made sense. A family (and family name) would have influence in all three important spheres, and thus be in a better position to gain and exert political power." on 15:21:22 10/25/07 Thu


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