From 1381 - when Sir John Cavendish, Lord Chief Justice of England, was killed during the Peasant's Revolt - to 1906, when the Duke of Devonshire's resignation brought down the Tory government: the family's fortunes (and misfortunes) mirrored the life of the nation. For this new history, Roy Hattersley has been given unique access to the archives, based at Chatsworth, the family seat. Hattersley gathers the dynasty in one place: an astonishing accumulation of scientists, soldiers, patrons, politicians, house builders, racehorse breeders, philanderers, and powerful women.