In Brighton the Wagners wielded such influence that their story is a major strand in the town's history. Apart from the Brighton interest, the book sheds fascinating light both on the dynastic vigour of German and Huguenot immigrants and on the social patterns of English society. Melchior Wagner, whose father had moved in 1677 to Coburg from Silesia, migrated to England, was naturalised in 1709 and was appointed hatter to King George I. He was granted the crown lease of a house in Pall Mall and his descendants remained for three generations.