Wealth
To be truly wealthy, even among the aristocracy, is rare, and many gentlemen are treated in accordance with the wealth they are likely to inherit. A character may be in full possession of his estate, only have a partial inheritance, or a more risky prospect such as a trading business, an unprofitable estate or a purchased military commission.
The relative costs of living in the 1800s were very different to today’s costs, and in particular the employment of workers or servants would usually include provision of room and board as well as wages. A servant might cost £20 a year, while the cost to feed and stable a good horse could be over £30 per year. To rent a London townhouse could cost only £25 per year, while the coal to heat the house would amount to £50 per year. The most significant everyday expense is food, and a modest household with only a small family and a servant might expect to spend at least £140 per year mainly on meat, alcohol, bread and butter.
Most trades and suppliers of goods offer lines of credit to well known families, including those without ready cash available. Debt is a crime and, while younger family members might avoid the bailiffs for a time, few families would allow their name to fall into disrepute by leaving the debts unpaid and allowing their relatives to be jailed.
With great wealth comes great responsibility - and living costs. Those of extensive wealth with large estates to manage might maintain as many as 150 indoor servants plus stablehands, coach-drivers, groundskeepers etc. Though additional labourers might be paid for during harvest, agricultural land would generally be farmed by tenants managed by an agent or bailiff. With so many livelihoods to pay for, a great estate might require fully one-half of its owner’s annual income, for such titles and lands require careful husbandry. Nonetheless, few gentlefolk pay attention to accounts, and it is certainly very unseemly to be known for being tight with one’s purse. Clerical work is a dull task and ought to be left to dreary folk in cold book-rooms, not the cream of society.
Income
Income for the aristocracy comes from several sources; wealth in land and investments, or activities such as gambling, war or other pursuits in service of the crown. Military men receive half-pay when not directly at war, but may receive extra prize money for successful engagements. Those in service of the Church may also obtain an income through their parish properties or patrons. For some extended family members, especially those not in the direct line of inheritance, income may also be obtained by business, such as the practice of law, gambling on stocks, underwriting insurance for other's endeavours (such as trading ships), or engaging directly in commerce.
Most persons of fortune could expect to live on an income of 4% of their overall wealth placed in the funds (state investments), or on income gained through business ventures or rents. To obtain a sufficient living income requires a careful balance between wealth and obligations, so acquiring a more substantial fortune through marriage, or ensuring the independence of one's children can make the difference between comfort and difficulty.