An extraordinary tale of family feuds, forbidden love, civil unrest and the downfall of a mining dynasty

Wentworth in Yorkshire was surrounded by 70 collieries employing tens of thousands of men. It is the finest and largest Georgian house in Britain and belonged to the Fitzwilliam family.

England's forgotten palace, it belonged to Britain's richest aristocrats. Black Diamonds tells the story of its demise: family feuds, forbidden love, class war, and a tragic and violent death played their part. But coal, one of the most emotive issues in twentieth century British politics, lies at its heart.

This is the extraordinary story of how the fabric of English society shifted beyond recognition in fifty turbulent years in the twentieth century.

'Magnificent . . . peels back the grand facade of Wentworth to reveal a family riven with fueds, mental illness and forbidden love' Tatler

'A compelling new history . . . fascinating insights into the dynasty that once ruled this Yorkshire roost' Daily Mail

'An aristocratic tale of epic proportions, this gripping novel cleverly interweaves interviews, letters and historical fact . . . Fascinating' Easy Living

About the Author
Catherine Bailey is the author of two bestselling works of twentieth-century history: Black Diamonds and The Secret Rooms. She lives in London.

Awards
Winner of Portico Prize for Literature: Non-fiction 2008.



Book Information
ISBN 9780141019239
Author Catherine Bailey
Format Paperback
Page Count 544
Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 408g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 33mm