Turgot's Dismissal
Reading novels of old, one frequently runs across vocabulary rarely used these days. Congé, a French/middle English term, refers to an abrupt dismissal. Georgette Heyer uses it whenever a bored nobleman dismisses his mistress, usually with a generous parting gift. There are also less severe connotations attached to the term, such as a formal military permission to depart, or a simple leave taking.
These key sentences will place the term in context:
At the fete [the Prince Regent] gave in June 1811 to celebrate the advent of the Regency neither his legal nor his morganatic wife were invited. Mrs. Fitzherbert had already been given her congé, and the Princess of Wales was not allowed anywhere near Carlton House. – High Society, Venetia Murray, p 21
She thinks he is infatuated. but will find out his mistake and return to her,” replied old Mrs Poyntz, who was an authority of great value having been the wildest of flirts some forty years ago. “Then I dare say she will give him his congé. Meanwhile being a very proud and clever girl/ she pretends to see nothing – ignores the whole affair. Frank Leslie’s Pleasant Hours By Frank Leslie, 1879.
After some time of active service he obtained a congé and permission to travel, which carried him after some wanderings to Milan, where he staid at a friend’s chateau near the city. Harper’s New Monthly Magazine By Henry Mills Alden, 1858.
Wessex himself fought a very different war, his captaincy almost a formality; a liveried carte blanche that provided him the congé to some of the circles in which he must move. A Heart for Every Fate
Hmmm, very interesting indeed!
I had to look up the term “morganatic” as I was not familiar with the term and then found “morganatic marriage” and that opened up a whole new and very interesting topic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morganatic_marriage
This concepts sheds more light on my German gg-grandmother’s relationship with the father of her children in 1850. Many thanks!
I’m only here to say hello to Ms. First Place!
I just now stumbled on Lost in Austen on the Ovation channel and thought of Lady Place and her awesome blog.
I’m going to make it a point to stop by to say hi to eric3000, t-lo and trixie soon as well. I have some catching up to do.
Sorry to see your other blog go.
I’ll be back around later! The pleasure is all mine!
bungle
You’ve been blogging for awhile, so I’m sure I’m not the first to pass along the Premio Dardos Award to Jane Austen’s World. Regardless, I love Jane Austen’s World and wanted to recognize and thank you for your valuable contribution to the blogging community. Thanks for putting in the time to make this such a great site.