English rose (epithet)
English rose is a description, associated with English culture, that may be applied to a naturally attractive woman or girl of traditionally fair complexion who is from or is associated with England.
The description has a cultural reference to the national flower of England, the rose,[1] and to its long tradition within English symbolism.
Use in arts
The term "English rose" is found in Merrie England (1902), a comic opera written by Basil Hood. He describes a garden where "women are the flowers" and in which "the sweetest blossom" or "fairest queen" is "the perfect English rose".[2] The words are performed by a tenor in the role of Sir Walter Raleigh (1554–1618), in the presence of a May Queen, but regarding his secret love (purely within the opera), a member of the household of Elizabeth I.
At the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, Elton John performed a new version of his 1974 hit, "Candle in the Wind", which began with the adapted lyrics, "Goodbye England's rose...".
"Last of the English Roses" is a 2008 song by singer/songwriter Pete Doherty from his album Grace/Wastelands. English Rose is the name of the 2019 debut album by singer/songwriter Connie Constance; its first song is also titled "English Rose".
Notable "English roses"
See also
Look up English rose in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Yamato nadeshiko
- List of people known as the Beautiful
- List of people known as the Fair
- May Queen
- Peaches and cream (Wiktionary definition)
- Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
References
- "England's National Symbols". englandforever.org/.
- Dent, edited by Susie (2012). Brewer's dictionary of phrase & fable (19th ed.). Edinburgh: Chambers. p. 445. ISBN 9780550102454.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
- Cinema Year by Year: The Complete Illustrated History of Film. Dorling Kindersley. 2006. p. 470.
- "As Millie, a real Julie Blossoms". Life magazine. 28 April 1967.
- "Kate Beckinsale: English pearl". BBC. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- "Diana: An English Rose". Royalty Magazine.
- "Emma Watson is turned into wax at Madame Tussauds". Metro. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
She’s a true English rose known and loved by millions of film and fashion fans around the world"
- "Kate Winslet: The golden girl". The Independent. Retrieved 23 June 2020.