The British aristocracy managed to dominate an empire that in turn dominated much of the world. They grew wealthy in all sorts of endeavors, from discovering coal on their land to the wool trade to sugar to simply sucking up to the right monarch at the right time. Some of them are still rolling in it, and others are asset rich and cash poor (but still fearsomely posh).
The secret of the aristocracy is that getting a title isn't as complicated as it sounds. Sure, some people received their titles for great charitable deeds, heroic service to king and country, or for inventing something marvelous or achieving the pinnacle of their field. However, others came by their titles in far more revolting ways. Sometimes they got it for being governor of a colony and violently oppressing the people.
Others made a substantial donation to a particular political party at the right moment. A few got it by either personally being the lover of the right person, or even more scandalously, by having their wife take on that role and getting a title to keep their mouth shut. Then a few people came by it in a somewhat more neutral manner: through marriage or inheritance.
As you can see, there are a lot of ways to get a title - and which one you'd get depends on how far you're willing to go. So take this quiz and let's see where you wind up!
