Country Gentry and Payments to London, 1650-1714.

This article focuses on the role of the country gentry in the adverse balance of payments in transactions involving London, England. For the economic historian a series of questions about balances of payments is inherent in this fact, not only for such other centers and for regions but also for occupational and social groups. Among the latter, the social group which must continuously have shown, from every district of its habitation, an adverse balance of payments in transactions involving London was the country gentry, especially those among it who regularly spent several months of each year in London as their occasions required: as members of Parliament; visitors to London whether or not Parliament was in session because social and business interests could better be cultivated during the season; or courtiers or office-holders. Coming to London thus, for a career, for business for pleasure, most likely for all three, staying often for two or more months at a time in lodgings, houses or parts of houses which they rented, or permanent residences which they owned, their need for funds to spend in London was insistent during such periods, while their incomes were for the most part drawn from country sources. To make these incomes available in London was an essential duty of estate stewards.