In "Bring Up the Bodies," Hilary Mantel illustrates a shift in power dynamics, where financial institutions and moneylenders hold significant influence over the political landscape. The imagery of bankers collaborating reflects a new era of economic dominance, where traditional rulers and kings are relegated to subservient roles, acting as juniors to the elite finance sector. This shift underscores the growing importance of wealth over noble titles in shaping authority.

The metaphor of the “swaggering privateer” suggests a fading era of bold, adventurous figures in favor of calculated financial maneuvering. As bankers engage with one another, it signifies a move towards a more strategic and less audacious mode of governance, where decisions are driven by monetary interests rather than chivalric adventures. The quote encapsulates the evolution of power towards a more economically driven aristocracy.