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’.

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.

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