Elderly aristocrat begins hunt for gun-toting younger wife who he will pay £50k a year
Sir Benjamin Slade, 79, a controversial aristocrat and baronet descended from Charles II, has launched an appeal to find a bride who must be a good ballroom dancer and can fire a shotgun. He says his new wife would need to be at least 20 years younger - meaning women in their 60s need not apply. In return, the new Lady Slade will be paid £50,000-a-year to help run his sprawling 526-hectare Somerset estate. Sir Benjamin also stipulates that his new wife must not be a Scorpio, use drugs or be an alcoholic. He is also after a "good breeder" so he can have a male heir. Sir Benjamin, a baronet descended from Charles II, says she can't come from countries beginning with 'I' who have green in their flag. He said: "I don't mind Canadians, Americans, Germans and Northern Europeans - what I like to call similar people. I don't think marrying an Eskimo is for me. What I just need is a nice is a nice, ordinary country girl who knows and understands things. I am very social I go out a lot and I have to have somebody who fits in." His list of requirements also states that his wife does not read the Guardian, be Scottish and is taller than 5ft 6ins. They must be able to ballroom dance, play bridge and backgammon and do crosswords. The candidate must also be able to do a lot of physical exercise such as fast walking and be able to swim. Slade has a daughter, Violet, with Sahara Sunday Spain, but is still looking for a male heir who has genetic similarity to one of his further paternal ancestors. The preferred candidates must have a shotgun and driving licence. A helicopter licence "would be beneficial".
A controversial aristocrat's marriage bid
Sir Benjamin Slade, 79, says his new wife would need to be at least 20 years younger - meaning women in their 60s need not apply. In return, the new Lady Slade will be paid £50,000-a-year to help run his sprawling 526-hectare estate in Somerset. Sir Benjamin also stipulates that his new wife must not be a Scorpio, use drugs or be an alcoholic. He is also after a 'good breeder' so he can have a male heir. The full list of conditions grows longer and includes that she can't come from countries beginning with 'I' that have green in their flag. He said: "I don't mind Canadians, Americans, Germans and Northern Europeans - what I like to call similar people. I don't think marrying an Eskimo is for me. What I just need is a nice is a nice, ordinary country girl who knows and understands things. I am very social I go out a lot and I have to have somebody who fits in." The list also states that she must not read the Guardian, must be Scottish and taller than 5ft 6ins. They must be able to ballroom dance, play bridge and backgammon and do crosswords. The candidate must also be able to do a lot of physical exercise such as fast walking and be able to swim. Slade has a daughter, Violet, with Sahara Sunday Spain, but is still looking for a male heir who has genetic similarity to one of his further paternal ancestors. The preferred candidates must have a shotgun and driving licence. A helicopter licence "would be beneficial".
The full Lady of the House recruitment read
Sir Ben is on the search for a Lady of the House. "You must have a shotgun licence, a driving licence (also a helicopter licence would be beneficial), amorial bearings, be able to run two castles, an estate and a grouse moor. "Legal and accountancy training would be useful. Must be able to breed two sons (don't mind if she has bred before and is proven). "A little private capital and income would be helpful. A large fortune would be more helpful! The candidate would be paid £50,000 plus a bonus per year and this includes a car, house, expenses, food and holidays. "Guardian readers, Scorpios, drug users, alcoholics, Scots, under 5'6", people from countries beginning with 'I' who have green in their flag and people from countries where they don't wear overcoats in the winter, need not apply!"
