Yesterday, the 3rd richest man in Ukogbani, and by far the richest noble, the 6th Duke of Westminster, died.
How was he so rich?
Major reason being that once upon a time, back in 17th century, the Grosvenor family, then mere Baronets, acquired Ebury Manor.
Ebury Manor was then 500 acres of countryside near London - a fairly low quality land for the region, swamps and pastures.
Ebury Manor also had not been anyone´s home - it had been sold repeatedly in 16th/17th century between owners whose main homes were elsewhere. Ebury did not then have a major manorhouse. Nor were Grosvenors in need of a home - the 3rd Baronet had his ancestral home Eaton Hall in Cheshire.
But from 18th century, London sprawled to Ebury. Swampiness apparently could be handled at the new property prices, and the Grosvenors got very rich. While their home remained at Eaton Hall, and has been expanded.
Now, how about the rest of suburban land?
Most of the land which has become towns and suburbs used to be countryside just a few centuries ago.
And it was owned by somebody. Various types of landowners - including small subsistence peasants, and modest scale gentry.
Who are the landowners elsewhere, who got rich by owning land which was countryside before it became a city?
Where are the homes and gardens that existed before the cities sprawled across the fields that used to feed them, and which now can be maintained and expanded because the streets and houses are far more profitable than fields had been?
How was he so rich?
Major reason being that once upon a time, back in 17th century, the Grosvenor family, then mere Baronets, acquired Ebury Manor.
Ebury Manor was then 500 acres of countryside near London - a fairly low quality land for the region, swamps and pastures.
Ebury Manor also had not been anyone´s home - it had been sold repeatedly in 16th/17th century between owners whose main homes were elsewhere. Ebury did not then have a major manorhouse. Nor were Grosvenors in need of a home - the 3rd Baronet had his ancestral home Eaton Hall in Cheshire.
But from 18th century, London sprawled to Ebury. Swampiness apparently could be handled at the new property prices, and the Grosvenors got very rich. While their home remained at Eaton Hall, and has been expanded.
Now, how about the rest of suburban land?
Most of the land which has become towns and suburbs used to be countryside just a few centuries ago.
And it was owned by somebody. Various types of landowners - including small subsistence peasants, and modest scale gentry.
Who are the landowners elsewhere, who got rich by owning land which was countryside before it became a city?
Where are the homes and gardens that existed before the cities sprawled across the fields that used to feed them, and which now can be maintained and expanded because the streets and houses are far more profitable than fields had been?