Duke of Decadence ; Womaniser and Gambler, He Married Into Britain's Most Notorious Sisterhood. But the Duke of Devonshire, Who Died This Week, Will Be Remembered Best for the Millions He Lavished On the Glory of Chatsworth

Summary

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FROM his lofty perch in the upper reaches of the social tree secured by a Pounds 75 million fortune, the 11th Duke of Devonshire, who died this week aged 84, felt himself able to look down with aristocratic indifference on the conventions that bind the rest of us.

He lived his life as to the manor born, which, of course, he was - on the grandest of scales. Matters such as party loyalty, money and political correctness were of little concern to him.

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Duke of Decadence ; Womaniser and Gambler, He Married Into Britain's Most Notorious Sisterhood. But the Duke of Devonshire, Who Died This Week, Will Be Remembered Best for the Millions He Lavished On the Glory of Chatsworth

So was marital fidelity. His sexual appetite was voracious, and until well into his 60s he continued to support a succession of comely fancy women, including the notorious call-girl Norma Levy.

Behind that lordly condescension, however, lurked a mind far more astute than appearances or his behaviour might suggest.

He once observed: 'Most people, when they hear of a duke, automatically assume he's ...

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