High society | Alice Loxton on the world of the Georgians

In episode two of the World of the Georgians, Alice Loxton turns her attention from the monarchy to high society, revealing how etiquette, marriage and reputation became prime targets for Georgian satire.

Published: February 2, 2026 at 9:02 AM

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After skewering the royal family, Georgian satirists eagerly turned their pens on the elite.

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In this episode, Alice Loxton explores the rigid social codes that governed Georgian high society, where a misplaced laugh, an awkward gesture or a poorly judged marriage could spell social disaster. Using caricatures by satirist James Gillray, she examines courtship, matchmaking and the intense pressure to marry well, revealing a world where appearances mattered deeply – and where artists delighted in exposing the absurdities behind polite manners.

Want more from Alice? Find more episodes of the World of the Georgians.

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Alice Loxton is a historian, presenter and Sunday Times bestselling author with over three million followers on social media.

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