English rose (epithet)
English rose is a description, associated with English culture, that may be applied to an elegant, 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...".[3]
"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"
- Dame Julie Andrews (born 1935), actress, singer and author[4][5]
- Kate Beckinsale (born 1973), actress[6]
- Helena Bonham Carter (born 1966), actress; label applies to her early roles[7]
- Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997)[8]
- Lynne Frederick (1954–1994), actress[9]
- Keira Knightley (born 1985), actress[10][11]
- Emma Watson (born 1990), actress[12]
- Kate Winslet (born 1975), actress[13]
See also
- 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.
{{cite book}}:|first1=has generic name (help) - ^ Davis, Sheila. The songwriters idea book. ISBN 9780898795196. Archived from the original on 20 April 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
I thought it was very important to project it from a nation's standpoint. I wanted to make it sound like a country singing it. From the first couple of lines i wrote [which began "Goodbye England's Rose"], the rest sort of fell into place.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ 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.
- ^ "Helena Bonham Carter: Wicked fun of the wilted English rose". The Times. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Diana: An English Rose". Royalty Magazine.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Edwards, Jonathan (1 January 2020). "Lynne Frederick Remembered » We Are Cult". We Are Cult. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ "32 Times Keira Knightley Was The Ultimate English Rose". Elle. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "5 Easy Steps To The Prettiest English Rose Make-Up Look". Vogue. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ "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.