In the pastoral heart of England, loyalty to the King was rewarded with vast expanses of land. These new aristocrats, seizing the opportunity, leased plots to eager farmers and budding entrepreneurs. But the real wealth lay beneath the soil. Holding exclusive mineral rights, these landowners tapped into lucrative ventures in mining, sand, gravel, and other burgeoning industries. Through shrewd rental strategies, their fortunes swelled, leading to the rise of opulent estates. As their coffers grew, so did their influence, establishing them as the undisputed lords of the region.