Fisher's dancing was more than an eccentric biographical detail. As a senior officer, he saw it as vigorous exercise he could perform without undermining the dignity expected of his rank. It also placed him in favour with prime ministers whose wives enjoyed dancing when their husbands did not, and with members of the royal family in a similar position. The example shows how personal sociability reinforced Fisher's access and influence in Whitehall.
Notable Point · 28:33-29:20
How dancing became part of Fisher's naval politics
Fisher adopted dancing as suitable exercise for a senior officer and turned it into a way to cultivate prime ministers and the royal family.