Magnificence versus Liberality: the form and function of gentile city houses in 17th Century London

Sik, Daniel [UCL]

To Aristotle, Magnificence and Liberality were very similar, as they both pertained to expenditure. However, a surprising amount of 17th century english authors concluded that magnificence and liberality were actually opposed. This moral reception is largely a reaction to how magnificence was performed by the citybound gentility. The resulting development of genteel city houses agreed with the magnificent urbanity envisioned by the Italian humanist Botero, who writes ‘Gorgeous and gallant buildings must also follow in Cities, where noblemen do make their residence.’ However, this seemed disturbingly foreign to more nostalgic authors. To them, England’s foremost pride was the gentry's liberality, manifested in acts of charity and hospitality, and lithified in ample kitchens and butteries. Seemingly, the ‘death of liberality’ was caused by the foreign phenomenon of citybound gentility, and the ‘overgorgeouss magnificence’ of their dwellings. By examining the material traces of the liberality and magnificence performed in these dwellings, I aim to shed light on how they contributed to an urban environment where Magnificence and Liberality could be deemed opposites.