"Aristrocrats were quite capable of pulling rank over gender if the need arose. When the Duchess of Queensberry led a squadron of ladies to storm the gallery of the House of Lords in 1739, she reportedly 'pished at the ill-breeding of a mere lawyer'". p.292

You go, girls!

I laughed out loud when I read this, for a very vivid picture came to mind of Lady Catherine storming the House of Lords. Can't you just SEE her looking down her nose at a "mere lawyer"? While dauntless Elizabeth was capable of standing her ground with Lady C, I laugh to think of the gaping-mouth men rendered completely witless by a bevy of Lady C's.