Yet these increasingly hypertrophic forms of masculinity existed in tension with ideals of obedience, courtesy, cultural refinement and charity that were still viewed as markers of the ‘gentleman’.

He was a financial wizard, capable of predicting the movements of the stock markets.

Last night’s programme – the first of a series of three – was another unwayward beast from the Worsley stable.

There was the fresh, turpsy smell of conifers, and from a quarter of a mile away the salty tang of shifting sea water.