Definitions by Lorelili
blue blood
Translated from the old Spanish phrase "sangre azul", blue blood derives from the Medieval belief in Europe (among other places) that the blood of the royalty and nobility was blue; since the royal family and aristocrats were wealthy and powerful enough to pay commoners to labor in the fields for them, their skin was translucent and pale enough for their blue veins to stand out.
It also refers to old money families: families that have been aristocrats for many generations.
It also refers to old money families: families that have been aristocrats for many generations.
The blue blood disdainfully looked upon the unrefined manners of the nouveau riche (aka "new money").
The blue blood of the elite could not be tainted by the blood of commoners, lest the whole line be polluted (disregarding the risks of inbreeding).
The blue blood of the elite could not be tainted by the blood of commoners, lest the whole line be polluted (disregarding the risks of inbreeding).
blue blood by Lorelili March 1, 2011
overthrow
The coup d'état had failed miserably. The queen exacted vengeance on the group who had plotted to overthrow her, beginning with her duplicitous former friend, the Duke of Leicester.
The Prime Minister and her Cabinet perished in the blast; the overthrow was underway.
The Prime Minister and her Cabinet perished in the blast; the overthrow was underway.
nobility
The highest social class in pre-modern societies and even in a few contemporary societies, and the status and title of a noble are usually inherited; basically another term for aristocrats, a tiny group of elite people who are omnipotent over the common people.
Nobles are born into wealth and power and often into politics, regardless of their merit to these privileges; peerage is the legal system to constitute the various hereditary titles.
From highest to lowest rank, the most common peerage titles are:
-duke and duchess
-marquis and marquise
-earl/count and countess
-viscount and viscountess
-baron and baroness
Under a feudal system, the nobility earned property from the monarch through military service.
Nobles are born into wealth and power and often into politics, regardless of their merit to these privileges; peerage is the legal system to constitute the various hereditary titles.
From highest to lowest rank, the most common peerage titles are:
-duke and duchess
-marquis and marquise
-earl/count and countess
-viscount and viscountess
-baron and baroness
Under a feudal system, the nobility earned property from the monarch through military service.
The peasants resented the nobility for their frivolity, but at least these farmers had little to lose; the courts of the elite were swarming with ruthless intrigue, often with plots of overthrowing the royal family. Noblewomen were married off young, had little real power, and just served to manage households and produce many children (who were raised by nannies) to continue the family dynasty, never free to live or choose as they wanted.
Nobility had/have everything to lose: wealth, reputation, position, allies, public support, political influence, and life. A very public life with numerous people breathing down one's neck and threats on one's person did not help matters, either.
Nobility had/have everything to lose: wealth, reputation, position, allies, public support, political influence, and life. A very public life with numerous people breathing down one's neck and threats on one's person did not help matters, either.
blue blood
From the medieval European belief that royalty and nobility had blue blood; the elite had enough power and wealth that they could afford to have peasants and the urban poor do their dirty work for them- since the aristocrats were able to stay inside and avoid long hours in the fields (and the sunlight), they were often so pale that their blue veins showed under their translucent skin, thus leading people to believe that their blood was blue.
Now it generally refers to people from old money: families who have been wealthy aristocrats for generations on generations.
Now it generally refers to people from old money: families who have been wealthy aristocrats for generations on generations.
The blue blood elite have long been discouraged from intermarrying with commoners, lest their pure bloodlines be contaminated, ignoring the degenerative effects of inbreeding.
blue blood by Lorelili February 18, 2011
Catherine the Great
Catherine II of Russia (1729-1796), also known as Catherine the Great, was one of the best leaders in Russian history, ruling from 1762 to her death. A princess from an obscure but well-connected royal family, Catherine was chosen by Empress Elizabeth of Russia as a bride for her nephew and heir, Peter III.
Catherine and Peter were horribly mismatched; she was intellectual, ambitious, pensive, witty, and eager to become the Empress; Peter was pockmarked, immature, boorish, lacked common sense, scorned Russia, and adored Prussia (which earned him many detractors). Catherine, neglected by Peter, studied politics and philosophy while gaining allies for herself. In 1762, she led a coup d'état against Peter, who had become Emperor and was thoroughly disdained.
With Peter out of the way, Catherine set to work on improving and modernizing Russia. Under her, the empire expanded, improved administration, and was revitalized with her humanitarian ideals, although she was ruthless when threatened.
In July 1796, she suffered a stroke in her powder room and died in bed the following day.
Catherine and Peter were horribly mismatched; she was intellectual, ambitious, pensive, witty, and eager to become the Empress; Peter was pockmarked, immature, boorish, lacked common sense, scorned Russia, and adored Prussia (which earned him many detractors). Catherine, neglected by Peter, studied politics and philosophy while gaining allies for herself. In 1762, she led a coup d'état against Peter, who had become Emperor and was thoroughly disdained.
With Peter out of the way, Catherine set to work on improving and modernizing Russia. Under her, the empire expanded, improved administration, and was revitalized with her humanitarian ideals, although she was ruthless when threatened.
In July 1796, she suffered a stroke in her powder room and died in bed the following day.
Catherine the Great, while known for her romances, did not die during intercourse with a stallion; the French made this up to discredit a woman of power.
While Catherine had twelve lovers in her lifetime, this was tame for an aristocrat of that time.
The great love of Catherine's life was Prince Grigory Potemkin (1739-1791); he was her military leader and her equal intellectually, politically, and socially. She called him "My Tiger", "My Cossack", "My Golden Pheasant".
While Catherine had twelve lovers in her lifetime, this was tame for an aristocrat of that time.
The great love of Catherine's life was Prince Grigory Potemkin (1739-1791); he was her military leader and her equal intellectually, politically, and socially. She called him "My Tiger", "My Cossack", "My Golden Pheasant".
Catherine the Great by Lorelili January 26, 2011
Let them eat cake
A quote that has long been attributed to Marie Antoinette, although historians have generally concluded that she never said that.
Rousseau published in his work "Confessions" (1770) a story of a "great princess" who asked why the peasants were so upset; when told that they had no bread, the princess flippantly said "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche". Marie Antoinette was only fourteen at the time, unknown to the world, and was not even in France at the time.
Rousseau published in his work "Confessions" (1770) a story of a "great princess" who asked why the peasants were so upset; when told that they had no bread, the princess flippantly said "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche". Marie Antoinette was only fourteen at the time, unknown to the world, and was not even in France at the time.
The story of the ignorant, callous princess uttering "Let them eat cake" was around for a century before Marie Antoinette was even born. Contrary to saying such a statement, Marie Antoinette once wrote to her family: "It is quite certain that in seeing the people who treat us so well despite their own misfortune, we are more obliged than ever to work hard for their happiness. The King seems to understand this truth."
Let them eat cake by Lorelili January 26, 2011
Jane Seymour
1. (1509-1537) The third wife of Henry VIII, his favorite wife since she gave him a healthy son. Henry had Anne Boleyn beheaded on false charges of adultery, witchcraft, and incest so he could marry Jane, who had refused to be his concubine and would only give herself to him as his wife.
Jane Seymour was never crowned as queen since Henry wanted her to do her duty first: produce a son.
Jane advocated on behalf of Mary Tudor, to whom she was politically and personally loyal, and for the protesting English Catholics, but Henry would hear none of it, saying only "Remember Anne".
Jane died two weeks after giving birth to Edward VI, Henry's longed-for heir. Elated to finally have a healthy son, Henry soon began mourning, giving her a queen's funeral.
2. A British actress (1951-present) known for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Jane Seymour was never crowned as queen since Henry wanted her to do her duty first: produce a son.
Jane advocated on behalf of Mary Tudor, to whom she was politically and personally loyal, and for the protesting English Catholics, but Henry would hear none of it, saying only "Remember Anne".
Jane died two weeks after giving birth to Edward VI, Henry's longed-for heir. Elated to finally have a healthy son, Henry soon began mourning, giving her a queen's funeral.
2. A British actress (1951-present) known for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Jane Seymour, like Anne Boleyn, was not a great beauty, but there was a stark contrast between them; Anne was an olive-skinned brunette with piercing dark eyes while Jane was almost pallid with pale blue eyes, mousy blonde hair, and a little receding chin; Anne was dramatic and sharp-tongued while Jane was demure and yielding; Anne was a Protestant while Jane was Catholic; where Anne was cruel to her stepdaughter Mary, Jane had personal loyalty to Mary and her mother, Katherine. Jane banned the flashy French styles that Anne introduced to court.
Jane Seymour by Lorelili January 26, 2011