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Explainer

Lady Whistledown's Guide to Who's Who (and What's What) in 'Bridgerton'

Everything you need to know to become a diamond of the first water.

By Tudum Staff March 26, 2022

In the world of Bridgerton , navigating the exclusive social sphere known as the ton requires a mastery of etiquette and form. One must know when to curtsy in greeting or simply nod, how to address everyone from a duchess to a viscount and the most fashionable names to drop into conversation — not to mention the correct number of feathers required to be presented at court.

But how does one acquire such inscrutable information? Some say "to the manner born," but my dearest gentle readers, fret not: It can all be taught. Hence, Lady Whistledown's guide to the whos, the whats and the hows of the British aristocracy: What's a modiste? Who lives in Mayfair? Why does Colin Bridgerton constantly bring up the Greek Isles? Ahead, we lay out all that an aspiring lord or lady needs to know; and with this treasure trove of information at your fingertips, you'll be sure to rise from an obscure nobody to the veritable diamond of the season in no time.

Episode 1

• Queen Charlotte: It's only fitting to begin this illustrious list with our most glorious sovereign. The German-born wife of King George III spent 57 years on the throne. Due to her husband's long struggle with mental illness — referred to in America as "Mad King George" — the consort and her son the Prince Regent ruled in George III's stead, defining the era known as the Regency.

• "Your Majesty"/"Ma'am": Anyone who's anyone knows "Your Majesty" is only used upon first addressing the monarch. After that, it is ma'am, pronounced just like "jam."

• diamond or the incomparable diamond: Every year, Queen Charlotte selects one favored young lady to receive her blessing as the most eligible maiden on the marriage market. This incomparable diamond of the first water knows how to smile, curtsy, preen and pose on demand — in short, all the accomplishments that will make her the perfect ornament for her husband to display.

• season/off-season: Spanning the spring and summer months, the social season is a time for the favored families of the ton to open up their London houses for a whirlwind of balls, concerts and lavish receptions. For marriage-minded mamas, it's the most fruitful time to make sure their unmarried daughters are seen and admired, all in pursuit of that most elusive front of the monarchs marked a rite of passage into adulthood for aristocratic women, antreasure: a good match.

• debutante/ presented: The annual ritual of being presented at court announcing to all concerned that a young lady was open for business (i.e., marriage). The ceremony's roots date back to the late 18th century, but Queen Elizabeth II put an end to the practice in 1958.

• betrothed/dowry: Whether a couple has been caught in a scandalously compromising situation, arranged to marry for fame or fortune or simply fallen in love, a betrothal seals their promise to wed. Engagement rings are exchanged, and the dowry — money or assets a woman brings into her marriage, which promptly become her husband's property — is fixed. Now the wedding planning may commence!

• curtsy: The traditional gesture of deference to someone who holds a higher rank, a woman's equivalent of a man's bow. So a baroness curtsies to a viscountess, while the latter curtsies to a duchess. And of course, everyone curtsies to the queen.

• "suitable hips for childbearing": In an era where giving birth was the leading cause of death for women, popular wisdom had it that wider hips would make it easier to deliver a healthy child. Truly, body-shaming is something that has existed in every era.

• feathers: The ton has a dress code for every occasion — how else would you know you belonged? And for debutantes presented at court, who traditionally wear white dresses with white gloves, that involves feathers, specifically three white ostrich feathers in their hair. Curtsy and smile but whatever you do, don't turn your back on the monarch!

• dowager/viscountess/viscount: A viscountess is the wife of a viscount, who ranks fourth in the long line of British peers (above a baron but below an earl, a marquess or a duke). Once a viscount dies, his son — in this case, Anthony Bridgerton — inherits the title, and his surviving wife becomes a dowager, leaving room for a new viscountess to marry into the family.

• ton: The ton is the who's who of British high society during the Regency era, made up of aristocrats and rich upper-crust gentry and named after the French expression bon ton, or good manners. Still, as all debutantes would be wise to remember: One can be genteel and not a gentleman.

• rustic retreats: At the end of the season, members of the ton head to their country estates (read: mansions and palaces) for a respite from the festivities, until the siren's song of warm weather calls them back again.

• pin money: With no legal standing of their own (nor access to capital), women of the ton are instead given pin money by their husbands, fathers or brothers; it's basically an allowance to spend on trinkets, clothes and hobbies.

• tea: The little leaf that powers the British Empire is also what fuels the ritual that caps off each afternoon for the ton. Best consumed with an assortment of cakes and finger sandwiches, teatime is a moment of calm before one must put on a brave face and dress for another round of dinners and balls.

• modiste: One could just as easily say "dressmaker," but that wouldn't sound half as chic. A modiste is a French term for someone who provides the latest fashions for the ladies of the ton.

• lady's maid: A high-born woman walking in the street alone? Unthinkable! Ladies' maids not only style hair and run errands for their mistresses, but they also serve as companions who provide amiable conversation during a leisurely promenade through the park.

• out: Once a debutante has been presented, she is "out," as in out in society and ready to be snapped up by the first eligible bachelor.

• "My Lord": The correct way to address a man who either currently has — or will inherit — a title.

• quadrille/waltz/cotillion: Dances that all high-born young ladies must learn and master if they are even to hope to be named as the season's diamond.

• astride: Proper young ladies aren't supposed to straddle their horses as they ride. Instead, they ride sidesaddle, a much more precarious and dangerous position — but what's a little mortal peril when etiquette is at risk?

• Mayfair: The most exclusive and fashionable neighborhood in London during the Regency period, and home to the Bridgertons, the Featheringtons and Lady Danbury, among others.

• lady/gentleman: A polite way to describe women and men of "gentle" (i.e., noble) birth.

• ball: A formal dance reception thrown by members of the ton to display their wealth and status; balls provide a rare opportunity for single men and women to burn for each other in public.

• old maid: A woman who remains unmarried past her mid-twenties. Kate Sharma, at the ripe old age of 26, is considered an old maid by Regency era standards.

• Marathi/Hindustani: Marathi is a dialect spoken in the Indian state of Maharashtra, while Hindustani refers to a group of dialects spoken in the northwestern region of India. Growing up in Mumbai, then known as Bombay, the Sharma sisters are familiar with both.

• sponsorship: Navigating the social season requires an experienced captain, someone who can make the right introductions and separate the suitors from the rakes. Lady Danbury's patronage allows the Sharmas to gain entry to the ton's most exclusive events, which might otherwise have been closed to them as newcomers to the city.

• quill: Lady Whistledown's acid-tongued musings are captured via a quill, a pen made out of a large sharpened feather dipped into an inkpot.

• heir: The Duke of Hastings' worst nightmare (at least, at first) and the true purpose of any aristocratic marriage. A male heir guarantees that the title will be passed on and kept in the family.

• Wollstonecraft: As in Mary Wollstonecraft, mother of feminist thinking (and of Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein), who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792.

• chamber pots: The unmentionable item lords and ladies use to relieve themselves in lieu of a water closet.

• Cornwall: A region in the southwest of England, regarded by Lady Featherington as a social cemetery.

• prince: The royal son of a king and queen and an extremely desirable match for any young lady of breeding.

• duke: The next best thing to a prince, a duke is the highest-ranking British peer after the monarchy itself.

• Marquess: The title below a duke, but above an earl, a viscount or a baron.

• 10,000 a year: The income in British pounds that an aristocrat receives from his properties or assets on an annual basis. (Not to be confused with his fortune, which could be worth considerably more.)

• earl: The Goldilocks title of the British aristocracy; below a duke or a marquess but above a viscount or a baron. It's also the oldest title in the peerage, dating back to Viking King Canute.

• dance card: Tied to a young lady's wrist, this little booklet keeps track of her dance partners. After all, it's considered impolite for any woman to dance too many times with the same man.

• Debrett's guides: Faithful genealogical guides to British aristocracy regularly published since 1769 — that said, they're no match for Lady Whistledown when it comes to gossip.

• "Miss": The eldest daughter of any family is referred to as "Miss" followed by her surname, whereas subsequent daughters are called "Miss" followed by their whole name. Thus, Kate Sharma is introduced as Miss Sharma, while her younger sister is known as Miss Edwina Sharma.

• maharajah: An Indian prince or high-ranking nobleman, as opposed to the late Mr. Sharma, who was — gasp! — working for a living when he married Lady Mary Sheffield.

• mourning period: The period of six months following a death during which members of the immediate family of the deceased withdraw themselves from society and wear only black. Of course, Lady Featherington doesn't always play by the rules where color is concerned — much to Penelope's yellow-tinged chagrin.

• courting: The ton loves its rules, so of course there's a right and wrong way to woo a potential mate. Men and women had to be strictly chaperoned before marriage, lest they accidentally burn for each other in public.

• baron: The fifth-ranking noble in the British peerage, entitled to feel superior toward untitled gentry alone.

• Lord Byron: Poet George Gordon Byron — sixth Baron Byron, to those in the know — is the kind of odist name-dropped by rakes who want to appear romantic.

• Wellington: Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington, defeater of Napoleon Bonaparte and winner of Waterloo, is… probably best remembered for the pastry-encrusted beef dish named in his honor.

• love match: The kind of marriage Lady Bridgerton dreams of for her children, one governed by feelings rather than money or position.

• soirée: More intimate than a ball, this party is derived from the French term for "evening." (Sensing a pattern? Everything sounds better in French.) A soirée gives the hostess license to give her gathering an aura of exclusivity. But yes, there is still dinner and dancing.

• eleven pounds, two shillings: Worth approximately £516 in today's currency, this tidy sum was equivalent to roughly 74 days' wages for a skilled worker. Penelope, my dear, you are quite rich!

• rake: Perhaps best defined by the words of the poet Britney Spears: "Womanizer, woman-womanizer, you're a womanizer/ Oh, womanizer, oh, you're a womanizer, baby/ You, you-you are, you, you-you are."

• footmen: Male liveried servants in large households who wait at the table and hear and see absolutely everything.

• retirement room: A very fancy way to refer to the bathroom; it's also a place where women of the ton go in pairs to escape awkward situations. Plus ça change.

Episode 2

• dandy: The kind of man who dresses to impress, although the main object of this flattery is himself.

• the races: A horse race held every year at the Royal Ascot racecourse that has been the highlight of the social season since its founding by Queen Anne in 1711.

• Bombay: Now known as Mumbai, the city is India's largest in population and a financial and entertainment hub. It spent centuries under European colonial rule, first by Portugal until 1661, and then England until India's independence in 1947. In Bridgerton, the city is the Sharma family's hometown.

• gentleman's club/White's: Founded in 1693, White's is the oldest gentlemen's club in London and a favorite haunt of men of the ton seeking to escape their wives and mothers over a glass of whiskey and a cigar.

• pamphlet: A popular way for opinions and hot takes to circulate widely; now we have Twitter.

• call on: The act of visiting friends, family or, in the case of Anthony Bridgerton, potential wives.

• Mount Olympus: The tallest mountain in Greece, mythical home of the gods and a way for the Colin Bridgertons of the world to show that they have traveled.

• Chancery Lane: A central London street traditionally associated with lawyers and courts.

• Doncaster: A racecourse in South Yorkshire that hosts some of Britain's oldest competitions, the Doncaster Cup and the St. Leger Stakes.

• hollering like a newsboy: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! What people had before push notifications.

• Oxford: One of the world's oldest universities, in use since roughly 1096, and the traditional place for the ton to send their sons to sow their wild oats before marriage and duty take over.

• knacker's yard: A place where horses that don't win races for their rich owners are slaughtered and turned into glue.

• zebra: A favored pet of Queen Charlotte, who received one as a wedding present in 1762, and displayed it to the public in a paddock at Buckingham Palace (then known as Buckingham House), her primary residence.

• 15 children: Queen Charlotte gave birth to 15 children over the course of her marriage to King George III; 13 survived into adulthood. Two of her sons went on to become kings of England (George IV and William IV), and her granddaughter, Queen Victoria, would rule over the world's largest empire for 63 years.

• cassowaries: Rare, flightless birds native to Indonesia and Australia. Owning exotic animals was the ultimate symbol of wealth in the Regency era, and this was one of the most coveted of all creatures!

• fencing: The art of sword fighting, and a way for the Bridgerton brothers to express their emotions without actually having to speak a word.

• George Cruikshank: Popular 19th-century British artist who would go on to illustrate the works of Charles Dickens and the first in a series of artists name-dropped by Benedict Bridgerton.

• François Gérard: François Pascal Simon, Baron Gérard, a French painter best known for his portraits of Europe's royal families. Artists are to Benedict what Greek islands are to Colin.

• Frederic Leighton: British painter best known for his depictions of Greek and Roman mythology and much admired by fellow artist Benedict Bridgerton. Or at least, he will be — Leighton hasn't yet been born in 1814, when the season takes place. His genius would grace the world 16 years later, in 1830. In 1878, Leighton would become president of the Royal Academy of Arts, the very same school Benedict gains admission to this season.

• J. M. W. Turner: Joseph Mallord William Turner, a British Romantic painter famed for his arresting landscapes and another of Benedict's inspirations.

• Cambridge: More than 800 years old, this university is Oxford's main rival — Benedict attending Cambridge makes perfect sense as a way to differentiate himself from older brother Anthony, an Oxford alum.

• "a heart whose love is innocent": A line from Lord Byron's oft-quoted 1814 poem, "She Walks in Beauty," which would have been brand new and ripe for use in courtship by the ton.

• governess: A woman hired to homeschool children who usually falls in love with a handsome widower before finding out his wife is locked up in the attic — oh wait, wrong literary universe.

• Stanhope press: The first completely iron-made printing press, invented by Charles Mahon, third Earl of Stanhope, at the turn of the 19th century. The new model was supposed to increase efficiency, ensuring that Lady Whistledown's avid readers had swift access to her words.

Episode 3

• stag: Male deer were a popular target for hunting parties, especially for those who wanted to have their very own buckskin breeches. No relation to a certain Ravkan legend, however.

• beesting: For most of us, it's simply an inconvenient pinching sensation often experienced when surrounded by flora. However, for some — like late Bridgerton patriarch Edmund — it could lead to fatal consequences.

• ancestral home: A stately country house for the landed members of the ton. Perfect for the year's most coveted (and scandalous) balls or one's flight from London following the dizzying bustle of the social season.

• Aubrey Hall: The ancestral home of the sprawling Bridgerton family, with more than enough room for the brood's eight siblings and their ever-growing cadre of partners. More than worth a visit, if you can garner an invitation.

• chick-a-biddy: Literally, a chicken. More commonly, a term of endearment for young children. But, for the less-than-proper among us, a young wench.

• fourth cousin: A cousin just distant enough to join in holy matrimony.

• pall-mall: A French lawn game perfect for an afternoon diversion. Or an annual high-stakes competition of wills and talent, should one be lucky enough to step foot in the Bridgerton country manse. Either way, it's also the forebear of croquet.

• Vienna: A political and cultural European capital for centuries, this metropolis is now in present-day Austria, but was in the Austrian Empire in1814, a time when the region was heavily involved in ending the Napoleonic Wars. Rarely suggested to hold more style cache than fair Paris, n'est-ce pas, Madame Delacroix?

• wicket: The infuriating small gate or hoop one must knock their pall-mall ball through to advance in a game. Under Bridgerton rules, wickets can be placed anywhere on a pall-mall field — depending on just how devious a player is feeling that day.

• the mallet of death: The Bridgerton pall-mall mallet worth tripping someone to obtain. Shining and black, this tool gives one a competitive edge on the lawn of Aubrey Hall. Favored by the always-competitive Anthony Bridgerton.

• Royal Academy Schools: Founded by 36 artists, this is the oldest art school in England, dating back to 1768. It operates as an independent charity, historically dependent on the kindness of donors like, say, a certain viscount who holds some pretty hefty purse strings.

• in position: The terminology for when a child enters the world headfirst, a medically preferable — and much easier — way for coming into the world. An infant is not in position when they are feet or bottom first, a situation that puts babe and mother in possibly dire physical risk.

• his lordship's choice: A euphemism to convey that the family patriarch is the sole decision-maker during a high-risk birth, and will therefore be the one to determine whether mother or child's life is the priority. The man remains in this privileged position even if he isn't, in fact, the infant's father.

• Sussex and Hampshire: Two historic counties in the southeastern part of England — both less than 90 miles from London. Yet, for many lords, ladies and inquisitive mamas, such locales seem as far away as the Americas.

• ghalib: An Urdu word that translates to "the conquerer." The pen name of Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan, a legendary Indian poet who was born in the town of Agra in 1797, of whose work Miss Edwina Sharma is an avid reader.

• Rotten Row: Despite its less than appetizing name, one of the most appealing locales to see and be seen on a Regency day. Built in the late 1600s on the order of King William III, the walkway snakes across the south end of London's Hyde Park. By the 19th century, it had become a fashionable public track for the well-to-do to go on a horse ride or carriage jaunt.

• "tea": Different from the delicious brew, this "tea" refers to a much, well, spicier type of steeped beverage derived from poppy seeds that have been turned into opium.

• Paxos: Yet another one of Colin Bridgerton's name-droppable traveling destinations and the largest Greek island… of the smallest island group within the Ionian Islands. Far from the flocks of tourists populating the Aegean Islands, Paxos sits on the Ionian Sea across from Southern Italy.

• hell and the devil: A term used to voice displeasure, but an unsuitable proclamation to make in the presence of ladies.

• family dinner: A convivial meal amongst immediate relatives where they break bread, both literally and metaphorically. While Regency families perfected this type of gathering, their efforts would go on to inspire those who value the tenets of Gym, Tan and Laundry in generations to come.

• an amiable partner with whom one may share a pleasant life: For most of polite society, an impossibly lengthy jumble of words. For a reformed rake like Viscount Anthony Bridgerton? The only way one can say "wife."

• fatwit: A word applicable to all those who snub Lady Whistledown's Society Papers: A muttonhead. A clodpate. A simpleton.

Regency Slang Explained | Bridgerton S1

Episode 4

• Ancient Greeks' Olympic pentathlon: Not just any athletic competition, the ancient Olympics were held in praise of the almighty Greek god Zeus. The pentathlon, as its name suggests, consisted of five parts: a stadium-length foot race, javelin throwing, discus throwing, a long jump and, finally, a wrestling match between the two best athletes. Lady Whistledown suggests that the feat of hosting a country visit might have been a sixth, had the Greeks been members of the ton.

• country visit: What's the use of owning an estate if you can't invite friends, relatives, and your closest frenemies to admire it? Lasting days and sometimes weeks, country visits are events filled with recreational activities (see pall-mall above) and ample time to encourage budding romances to blossom.

• mettle: Part of the delightfully alliterative phrase "might and mettle," this means strength and stamina in the face of adversity. It's what good hosts must possess to properly manage a country visit, no matter how complex or, heaven forbid, emotionally fraught.

• morning tea: An essential component of any proper English breakfast, this first-thing elixir is served piping hot for sipping and is perhaps enjoyed even while still in bed. It's the best way to fully rouse from sleep before the day — and its accompanying gossip — unfolds.

• marriage mart: The annual social season, colloquially. This colorful term quite aptly describes the scroll-length slate of opportunities for eligible singles to meet, dance, socialize and, hopefully, find their match.

• "Bon": Kate's nickname for Edwina translates to "sister" in Bengali.

• suitor: A man who intends to marry a woman. His opposite? A rake.

• "Didi": Edwina refers to Kate by this term of endearment, which translates to "older sister" in Hindi and Bengali.

• pepper patch: What's almost as hot as being stuck inside a stalled carriage in the countryside, according to Prudence Featherington? Acres of cultivated chili plants, of course.

• carriage: Is there any better way for the upper class to travel far and wide than a horse-drawn carriage? If the carriage's coach is enclosed, it can protect its occupants from the elements — but not the sweltering summer heat.

• apprentice: A person learning a trade from a skilled laborer. In the Regency era, common men were most often trained through apprenticeships.

• the hunt: A group sport for men — and Kate — that pits humans against beasts in "the field" (actually just private land; see below), whether said beasts are pheasants, foxes or, in this case, deer.

• the grounds: Well-manicured gardens are just the beginning of an estate's sprawling outdoor property. Touring the expansive grounds is an event in itself.

• chaperone: Any young lady of fine breeding must be accompanied by a chaperone whenever she is in public, particularly when she is around eligible young men — lest her reputation fall to ruin.

• private lands: Where the hunt takes place, on a homeowner's personal acreage, not in the wild.

• gatherings: Hosted events during which mannerly socializing occurs, whether relatively informal (a dinner) or dazzling in both planning and execution (a ball).

• cloven: When attempting to outwit deer during the hunt, savvy shooters like Kate look for this shape on the ground — that of a split-hoof's print — to determine the prey's whereabouts.

• quarry: A term for game or prey, such as deer — not handsome eligible suitors, as one might be tempted to guess.

• secretary: During this era, the master of the estate would typically have a (male) secretary to assist with bookkeeping and other administrative tasks required of a landowner.

• Marousi: A northeastern suburb of Athens; one of many stops on Colin Bridgerton's grand tour of the country.

• Chalcis: The capital city of the Greek island of Euboea, located in the Aegean Sea.

• Petalioi Gulf: A gulf of the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece, which stretches south to Euboea.

• Lesvos: A Greek island located in the Aegean Sea known for its millions of olive trees.

• Flora Graeca /Sibthorp: An illustrated late 18th century study of the plants in Greece by John Sibthorp and artist Ferdinand Bauer, including many flora that would become staples in the typical English garden.

• fish head pie: A traditional Cornish delicacy that involves baking whole pilchards (aka sardines) with eggs and potatoes under a pastry crust — with fish heads poking through the top. Also known as Stargazy pie, as the fish appear to be gazing at the stars.

• grand tour: A trip through Europe traditionally taken by young men of upper class or higher in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

• coronopifolia: Also known as brass buttons, these flowers have bright yellow discoid heads. Colin says he saw them on his grand tour of Greece — which he seemingly never shuts up about. Though the flower is actually native to southern Africa and New Zealand, it has spread around the world.

• Chios: Another Greek island in the Aegean Sea known for its main export, mastic gum, which is the resin from mastic trees. Chios' nickname is "The Mastic Island" — real inventive, huh?

• mastic trees: Known scientifically as Pistacia lentiscus and found commonly throughout the Mediterranean, the mastic trees located on Chios are the only ones in the world to produce a resin commonly used in spices, alcoholic beverages, sweets and gum. The teardrop-shaped resin emerges from the bark and is also known as "tears of Chios."

• monsoons: Derived from the Arabic word for "time of year," these seasonal winds bring heavy, pounding rains. During the British Raj period in India, this word was adopted into English to refer to the torrential seasonal storms. Kate says she has always found storms like these "unsettling."

• "counting my steps": If one has not fully mastered the intricacies of Regency-era dancing, it may behoove them to keep track of the number and pattern of steps required to perform dances of varying tempos. Doing so can help avoid social embarrassment and prevent aggravating a more rhythmically skilled partner.

• "what worries you masters you": A quote from English philosopher John Locke about the control one's anxieties can have over the mind; a rather impressive bit of wisdom to drop while speaking to a potential suitor.

• orangerie: A large, glass-enclosed greenhouse where fruit trees — and orange varietals in particular — are able to grow in cold weather.

• "intentions": Not necessarily cruel, in this case, "intentions" are, in fact, unequivocally good. More specifically, Edwina hopes that Anthony Bridgerton's intentions are marriage-minded.

• "compromise": As in, "did he compromise you?" To bring into disrepute, often by doing something extremely scandalous like being alone with a member of the opposite sex. In the Regency era, only women could be compromised.

Episode 5

• reticule: A small handbag, featuring a drawstring and typically beaded or embroidered, carried by women during the Regency era.

• Bloomsbury: At the time, a London neighborhood of ill-repute where Lady Whistledown's printer was located. Currently, a safe and accessible Central London area known as the city's intellectual and literary hub. If you want to visit the British Museum, you'll head to Bloomsbury.

• harridan: Seventeenth-century slang for a strict, bossy or belligerent old woman. (See also: shrew.)

• single sovereign: The British sovereign was one of the first gold coins to be used as worldwide currency, though it fell out of favor in the early 1600s and did not return until a new 20-shilling coin was minted in 1817 and called the "sovereign."

Episode 6

• promenade: A leisurely walk taken for pleasure or for the chance to be perceived by fellow members of society, including potential suitors; usually involves parasols.

• haldi: The Hindi word for turmeric, haldi is mixed with water and sandalwood powder to create a paste that is then smeared onto a bride and groom the day before or morning of their weddings. Because of haldi's many purifying qualities, it's believed to cleanse the soon-to-be married couple ahead of "I do," and as Miss Edwina Sharma points out, it's also said to bring single people good luck.

• archbishop: A high-ranking bishop. In Bridgerton, this title refers to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is leader of the Church of England. Thomas Secker, Frederick Cornwallis, John Moore and Charles Manners-Sutton held the role during Queen Charlotte's reign (1761-1818).

• duchess: ​​The next best thing to a princess, a duchess is the highest ranking British title for a woman, other than being queen itself.

• leeches: A parasitic worm — a literal one and not a metaphorical one like, say, Cousin Jack Featherington — used for medicinal bloodletting throughout history. Leech bloodletting was believed to restore balance among the body's four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile.

• courtship: The period of time in which each member of a couple gets to know one another before making it official by getting married. It's filled with gift-giving and fully chaperoned promenades — unless, of course, you're Daphne and Simon.

• peacocks: A bird native to India that's known for its brilliant blue, yellow and green plumage. In the Regency era, peacocks roamed the grounds of noble estates to add aesthetic intrigue, kind of like a live version of a plastic flamingo lawn ornament.

• appa: The word for father in Bengali and Tamil.

• Georgia: A state located in the American South, where Cousin Jack Featherington has a ruby mining operation.

• rubies versus amethysts: Though they're both so-called cardinal gems — the five stones (diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies and amethysts) considered to be more precious than any others — rubies tend to be more valuable than amethysts, which is why Jack Featherington's investors would prefer his mines be filled with rubies.

• social club: A place where members gathered and socialized, usually over alcohol. A gentleman's club was the more elite version of a social club, and only allowed men of a certain peer rank to join as members.

• The Crown: Long before it was a series depicting the life of the British royal family in the 20th century, it was simply a tangible representation of the monarchy.

• "My King": A way to refer to King George III, who ruled Great Britain from 1760 to 1820.

• golden jubilee: A celebration of King George III's 50th year on the throne. It was held on October 25, 1809 and was the first such celebration of its kind in the UK.

• "Your Grace": A title used when addressing a duke, duchess.

Episode 7

• bouts: A wrestling or boxing match, often attended by men of the ton in search of entertainment; notably, it's where the Duke of Hastings' good friend Will Mondrich often finds himself in the center of the ring.

• a caller: One cannot simply show up at someone else's home unannounced in the Regency — one must convey their calling card before arrival, providing notice that they intended to call upon a friend or acquaintance for a visit at their home. Typically after a ball, debutantes, like Daphne, would be eager for (many a) gentleman caller the next morning.

• conservatory ball: A grand evening of dancing and flirting for the upper crust of the ton hosted inside of a beautiful conservatory, replete with ornate greenery, flowers, and clear, glass panes that are perfect for spilling secrets, if you are as inclined to jot them down with your quill as Penelope is.

Episode 8

• valet: One of the most prized members of a gentleman's staff. A lord's manservant, with expertise in the dressing, grooming and general daily maintenance of his employer.

• scandal sheet: A newspaper or magazine that publicizes the gossip of the day and the foremother of modern tabloids; it's a genre of publication in which Lady Whistledown has no rival.

• the cut direct: The greatest slight in Regency society. To properly cut direct a disgraced member of the ton, one would purposefully and actively refuse to acknowledge or greet said individual after they've given salutations or bowed. A hard, silent stare is encouraged — and the permanent cessation of any amicus bond would soon follow.

• snuff: Some ladies powder their noses. Others, like Queen Charlotte, sniff powder up their nose. While this fine powder may look truly scandalous, it's simply smokeless tobacco.

• vetements: The French word for clothing. Also an easy way to prove one is cultured via usage.

• gilded: To be doused in gold, whether in good taste or not. An easy way to prove one is wealthy.

• to take liberties: A polite way of saying "to seduce prior to engagement or marriage."

• the unearned advantages of one's birth: To be born into the ton — and thus enjoy the unimaginable wealth and privilege that come with such a random stroke of luck.

• Thomas Gainsborough: A founding member of the Royal Academy and a man fond of painting somber portraits in heavy earth tones. The favored painter of George III.

• a Turner sky: The airy and endless visions of up-above by landscape painter Joseph Mallord William Turner, another Royal Academy founder. When it comes to favorite artists, Benedict Bridgerton has a type.

• sister dances: Traditionally a non-occurrence at a proper ball, even after a sibling's near-death riding accent, it simply wasn't done.

By: Jamie Beckman, Jean Bentley, Tara Bitran, Anne Cohen, Olivia Harrison, Ariana Romero

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Source: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/bridgerton-guide-whos-who-meanings

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