The century began with the Wars of Spanish Succession, and continued with wars with North America, the Caribbean, Africa and India. Winning wars meant land and seized goods, trade and piracy, so many Englishmen grew in wealth.

The majority of the population still lived in the country, with the local landowner and his estates as the focus of the community. He controlled employment; dispensed charity, education and law, and commanded the militia. Social responsibility was huge, and most landowners were committed to their land and tenants. Rents were often waived in times of hardship, or subsidised by other sources of income.

Common land vanished with enclosure (partitioning and privatisation of the land), creating an underclass of agricultural labourers. This also changed the perception of beauty in nature. Large open spaces, which had been frightening, were now seen as something astonishing and wonderful.

Diagram of some key events of the Eighteenth century (or list of key events; both links open in new windows).