Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Zürich.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 1987. / Title from web page (viewed on Mar. 4, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

The lairds of eighteenth century Orkney were a kindred, a local élite whose more enterprising members showed some capacity to initiate or obstruct changes in accordance with their own interests. At first they were usually merchant lairds, of Scottish descent and connections, episcopalian and Jacobite in outlook, still feuding among themselves and restive under the lordship of the Earl of Morton who held the Earldom estates of Orkney and Shetland. The highlights of Orcadian politics during the eighteenth century, the careers of the Moodies and of Sir James Steuart, the affray at Graemeshall, the impact and consequences of the '45 rebellion, the Pundlar Process, the purchase of the Earldom estates by Sir Lawrence Dundas, the lairds' disenchantment with their new superior and their successful defiance in the election of 1790, all illustrate the transformation of the lairds from troublesome vassels to sophisticated competitors for patronage. Towards the end of the century they were kelp-rich gentlemen, anglicizing their heirs, enjoying the obsequious co-operation of a tamed presbyterian church, increasingly loyal to the British patronage network with its widening opportunities for enrichment by war and empire, and sharing the parliamentary representation in profitable association with Harry the Ninth. The background to the lairds' prosperity was the expansion of the British economy in general and the kelp boom in particular. As always, the success of individuals depended on luck, ambition and personal ability, a good marriage being the swiftest step to advancement. Those wishing to gain outstanding power in Orkney usually found it necessary to leave the islands. The study of the eighteenth century lairds is all the more needed because they and their successors exercised a strong though tacit censorship on the writers and historians of their day.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on July 6, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-134).

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Rostock. / "Literaturverzeichnis": p. [vii]-x.

This thesis examines the evidence for the decline and survival of historic landed estates since the end of the nineteenth century. The focus is on the processes of adaptation undergone by those estates that have survived over the post-war period. These processes are described in this study as a 'compromise' of 'traditional' landed estate characteristics. The particular approach taken by this research is to focus on the manipulation of property rights as a way of comprehending estate survival strategies. The work observes how various forms of legislation and the emergence of other powerful interest groups have acted to increasingly constrain the rights of rural landowners. A conceptual framework indicates how wide-ranging political, economic and social changes, and alterations to family circumstances, are reflected in the changing division and sub-division of owner, occupier and user rights over historic landed estates. The research is based on a micro-level investigation of an estate in south-east Devon. It examines how the political activities of the estate's owners represent attempts made by them to publicise their position and to defend their property rights. Subsequently, the study investigates the evolution of the estate over the post-war period in terms of its ownership and management, size, occupancy, economic activities, and local relations. Particular attention is paid to a series of 'critical' moments when changing circumstances required the formulation of major survival strategies. The study examines the central place of property rights and their accompanying responsibilities, observing how the allocation and re-allocation of property rights has become particularly fluid, complex and contested, and how the manipulation of property rights represents the response of estate owners to both opportunities and threats. The findings of the case study are also considered more broadly, that is, in relation to the position of rural landowners in general in the late twentieth century countryside

The thesis attempts an investigation of social change and development within late medieval urban and landed society in North-East Scotland. Analysis has been concentrated on the social implications of the evidence produced by a study of the Aberdeen burgh property market in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. To deal with the often copious evidence has entailed the use of basic computing techniques. Aside from this research has been made on the processes of social interaction within urban society and includes investigation of the elite families, heiresses, the craftsmen of Aberdeen, and the social composition of the burgesses of guild between 1399 and 1510. A chapter has been devoted to comment on the activities of the notaries of Aberdeen in the later middle ages. They were a vigorous and enterprising group of men busy building up their fortunes. After examination of the social developments within Aberdeen urban society the emphasis of the thesis moves to the investigation of the major landed families of north-east Scotland. This includes the Gordons, the earls of Mar, the Forbes, the Irvines of Drum, the Hays, the Lesleys, the Keiths, and Setons of Meldrum. Their accumulation of estates, marriages, royal favour, and bonds of manrent all receive comment. The final section of the thesis is devoted to the subject of both the political and economic-social interaction between burgesses and landed men. There was a variety of contact along these broad fronts. Aside from the chapters and conclusion the thesis contains three appendices of useful information. The first sets out the genealogies of the eleven elite families of Aberdeen, the second looks at medieval urban price data between 1435 and 1531. The third covers the taxation of medieval Aberdeen from 1448 to 1472.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ.46-52).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-53). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D., Environmental Science)--University of Idaho, July 2007. / Major professor: J.D. Wulfhorst. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.