I've been wanting to ask this questions to someone for some time but I'm not quite able to ask it in the concise way in which I wish I could. I have been trying to understand exactly what it would mean to have an income of "x" per year, in England, ala Pride and Prejudice. The only sense I can make of it would be this amount, such as Mr. Darcy's £10,000 a year, is actually the interest made from the estate's fortune? Is this so? How exactly were estates handled financially?

I'm genuinely interested in the money matters of the time, such as if this is indeed the interest then who is providing this? Banks? Please tell me all you know because I would very much like to have a better understanding of the financial aspects of the time.

Also, I'm new to the sub and am just interested in whatever you have to tell me. If someone has a suggestion for a resource beyond this sub, or if this isn't the appropriate place for my question, I'd gladly receive any information on an additional resource elsewhere. Thanks!