Queen Broke a Pleasing Custom

Queen Victoria is said to be very unpopular in Brighton, on the grounds that when there in the beginning of her reign she put a stop to a pleasing custom established by her Royal uncles and predecessors.– A color photo from the 1897 Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It's a shame her bonnet was hidden under a parasol… Photo source, Daily Mail

No More Free Lunch Under Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is said to be very unpopular in Brighton, on the grounds that when there in the beginning of her reign she put a stop to a pleasing custom established by her Royal uncles and predecessors. Under George IV and William IV, messengers, porters and others going to the pavilion, were always sure of a free snack and a drop of beer in the royal “pantry.” Victoria, like a thrifty housewife, made an end of this and got furiously hissed for it in the streets. – The Placer Argus, 1879

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Empress Unhappy as Queen’s Revered

Is it possible that this displeasure was the reason for Hongzhang’s response 4 years later after meeting Queen Victoria? — When the Viceroy was ushered into Victoria's presence chamber she remained seated, wrapped in the Imperial dignity that has awed mightier men than he. The intelligent celestial grasped his position at once. He groveled to the British Empress-Queen as he would have to his master, or the Dowager Empress, and when the interview was over and he had bowed himself out backward, he, deeply impressed, remarked to his entourage: “Her Majesty is the only real Monarch of them all.”

Li Hung Chang has come near to losing his yellow jacket again on account of a disregard of official etiquette while calling on the Empress. That's what comes of “Skylarking around the world and forgetting his manners.” —Pittsburg Times, 1897

 

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Medieval Bread Etiquette and Use

The bread for the Lord of the house was fresh, that for guests one day old and that for the rest of the household three days old. Four-day-old bread was reserved for cutting the trenchers… —Three, late-19th century bread forks for serving bread, rolls and toast. 

At medieval banquets bread was served in the form of manchets, which were round loaves of the finest whole wheat, sliced using a tranchoir (from the French trancher, to slice) by a designated carver (q.v. Carving tools and accessories).

The bread for the Lord of the house was fresh, that for guests one day old and that for the rest of the household three days old. Four-day-old bread was reserved for cutting the trenchers, which were pieces of bread sliced approximately 6 inches square and 2-3 inches thick, placed directly on the table and used in lieu of plates. (Later these had an ‘under plate’ of pewter or wood which evolved into the modern dinner plate.)

The bread knife of today is the successor to the tranchoir of the Middle Ages. Along the way, it was Queen Victoria who made it acceptable to put a loaf (of bread) and knife on the dining table. — William P. Hood, Jr. in 1999’s “Tiffany Silver Flatware”

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Refusing a Queen and Tea

Madame Antoinette Sterling was born in New York State in 1841. In her early years, she developed anti-British prejudices, due to hearing and reading patriotic stories of the destruction of tea cargoes in Boston Harbor. She soon resolved never to drink tea, and kept the resolution all the days of her life. Even a tea set, gifted to her by Queen Victoria, couldn’t sway her opinion.
–Public Domain Image

Refused the Queen’s Invitation

Madame Antoinette Sterling, the American singer, once unconsciously committed a breach of etiquette, which is recorded in the son's recent memoir of his mother. Queen Victoria commanded Madame Sterling to sing before her. Without any thought of offending, the singer replied simply that she was sorry, but on the evening designated she was engaged to sing for a charity; she would be pleased to sing for Her Majesty the next week.

The consternation among Royal Court officials was great. What would have happened if the singer had not been prevailed upon to break her engagement and comply with the Queen's behest, only a Lord Chamberlain knows. Even a Lord Chamberlain could not prevail on her to break her rigid resolution against wearing a low dress at a concert, and Court custom had to yield to her.

The Queen took unconscious revenge on the American by presenting her with a tea-service, for Madame Sterling kept all her life a childish resolution never to drink tea because the spilling of the tea in Boston Harbor was the symbol of American defiance of England.– Mariposa Gazette, 1906

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

A Duke’s Respect of Court Etiquette

The Duke and the Queen seem always to have been on very affectionate terms, perhaps because he took her part in the controversy about the Prince’s position. “Let the Queen put the Prince where she likes,” he said, " and settle it herself; that is the best way.” An anecdote is told which shows that the Duke had not much respect for the traditions of Court etiquette when they conflicted with the dictates of common sense. 
– Photo source of the Duke and the Queen from the tv series “Victoria”, Pinterest

In 1845 the Queen and Prince Albert visited the Duke of Wellington at Strathfieldsaye. “The Duke,” writes Mr. Anson, the Prince's secretary, “takes the Queen in to dinner and sits by her Majesty, and after dinner gets up and says, ‘With your Majesty's permission, I give the health of her Majesty,’ and then the same for the Prince. They then adjourn to the library, and the Duke sits on the sofa by the Queen for the rest of the evening until 11 o’clock, the Prince and the gentlemen being scattered about in the library or the billiard room, which opens into it.”

Mr. Anson also writes that the Duke, under provocation from certain too curious impertinents, had put up a large notice in the grounds directing the people who wished to see the house to drive up to the hall door and ring the bell, but that they were to abstain from walking on the flag-stones and looking in at the windows. To an application from a newspaper for particulars of the Royal visit, the Duke replied: “F. M. the Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr._________ and begs to say he does not see what his house at Strathfield Saye has to do with the public press.”

The Duke and the Queen seem always to have been on very affectionate terms, perhaps because he took her part in the controversy about the Prince’s position. “Let the Queen put the Prince where she likes,” he said, " and settle it herself; that is the best way.” An anecdote is told which shows that the Duke had not much respect for the traditions of Court etiquette when they conflicted with the dictates of common sense. The late Lord Albemarle, when Master of the Horse, was very sensitive about his right in that capacity to sit in the sovereign's carriage on state occasions. “The Queen,” said the Duke, when asked his opinion, “can make Lord Albemarle sit on top of the coach, under the coach, behind the coach, or wherever else her Majesty pleases.” – The New York Times, 1874

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

What a Queen May Not Do

Any one who wishes to send the Queen a personal poem or a communication of any kind (except a personal letter, which the poor lady isn’t allowed to have at all) must have it printed in gilt letters on one of these silk sheets with a gold fringe, just so many inches wide and no wider, all about it. These gold trimmings will be returned to him in time, as they are expensive, and the Queen is kindly and thrifty, but for the Queen’s presence they are imperative. 

Queen Victoria Denied Many Things Her Humblest Subject Enjoys

Queen Victoria, not being born a Queen, probably learned to read just like other persons. But after she became afflicted with Royalty, she found that a Queen is not allowed to have a great many privileges that the humblest of her subjects can boast. For instance, she is not allowed to handle a newspaper of any kind, nor a magazine, nor a letter from any person except her own family, and no member of the Royal family or household is allowed to speak to her of any piece of news in any publication. 

All the information the Queen is permitted to have must first be strained through tbe intellect of a man whose business it is to cut out from the papers each day what he thinks she would like to know. These scraps he fastens on a silk sheet with a gold fringe all about it and presents to her unfortunate Majesty. This silken sheet with gold fringe is imperative for all communications to the Queen. 

Any one who wishes to send the Queen a personal poem or a communication of any kind (except a personal letter, which the poor lady isn’t allowed to have at all) must have it printed in gilt letters on one of these silk sheets with a gold fringe, just so many inches wide and no wider, all about it. These gold trimmings will be returned to him in time, as they are expensive, and the Queen is kindly and thrifty, but for the Queen’s presence they are imperative. 

The deprivations of the Queen’s life are pathetically illustrated by an incident which occurred not long ago. An American lady sent her Majesty an immense collection of the flowers of this country, pressed and mounted. The Queen was delighted with the collection and kept it for three months, running over the leaves frequently with great delight. At the end of that time, which was as long as she was allowed by court etiquette to keep it, she had it sent back with a letter saying that, being Queen of England she was not allowed to have any gifts, and that she parted from it with deep regret. This passes for good nursery government in this country, but would hardly be accepted among adults, let alone Queens. - The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1892

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Queen Victoria’s Entertaining Savvy

The ambassador, having mentioned in the morning that his birthplace was Furstenberg, the Queen had recalled to mind a service of china never used, and for nine years put away and forgotten by every one but herself, which had been manufactured there, and was decorated with painted scenes of the town and its vicinity. She knew exactly where it was and how It looked, and by her order it had been produced and used at dinner—surely a very pretty attention from a royal hostess, as well as something of a feat of memory in a royal housekeeper. – An antique Furstenberg china hot chocolate pot. Furstenberg china is the second oldest porcelain company in Germany and its antique pieces are highly collectible.

Victoria as a Housekeeper 

England’s Queen Demands Good Service, but Pays Employees Liberally

The sound business capacity and marvelous memory for details which serve Queen Victoria so well in her greater office of sovereign, do not fail to render her successful also in her lesser one of housekeeper. She is the mistress of palaces, castles and country houses, and, although the actual daily housekeeping is, of course, done by deputy, the royal head of the establishment remains ever in a very real sense the mistress. She perceives immediately anything amiss, and perceives also the remedy. She is a kind but also an exacting mistress, and as she pays well, and never fails to consider a reasonable excuse, quite properly demands good service and tolerates no shirking. 

A recent little volume upon her private life relates several entertaining household anecdotes of the royal lady's ways. She has, it seems, a dislike of cold meat, which she never eats, but etiquette demands that at luncheon a side table shall stand ready, provided with cold fowl and a cold joint, no matter what daintier hot food the dining table may offer. Like every good housekeeper, the Queen knows and remembers her valuable household possessions, and is fully aware of their individual merit and the places where they ought to be kept. She does not know them all, for they number thousands, but hundreds of them she does know, and elaborate catalogues are kept of the rest—furniture, bric-a-brac, china, glass, silver, draperies, and other furnishings—by her order, and in large leather bounds books provided in accordance with her ideas. Only a small proportion of her many hundred articles for table service are actually in ordinary use, and she is in the habit of using but three of her many services of plate and china at Windsor Castle. 

But once, after a talk with the German ambassador, who was visiting her, the members of the Queen’s household were surprised on coming to the table to behold strange china set before them, each plate adorned with landscape paintings. It soon appeared that, the ambassador, having mentioned in the morning that his birthplace was Furstenberg, the Queen had recalled to mind a service of china never used, and for nine years put away and forgotten by every one but herself, which had been manufactured there, and was decorated with painted scenes of the town and its vicinity. She knew exactly where it was and how It looked, and by her order it had been produced and used at dinner—surely a very pretty attention from a royal hostess, as well as something of a feat of memory in a royal housekeeper. –Placer Herald, 1898

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Great 19th C. Social Reforms

Though Queen Victoria’s own manners were questionable at best, the period in time named for the Queen – the Victorian Era– conjures up images of gentility and gracious living. 

The following is a list of Victorian Social Etiquette and Manners:

Bowing: “A gentleman should not bow from a window to a lady on the street, though he may bow slightly from the street upon being recognized by a lady in a window. Such recognition should, however, generally be avoided, as gossip is likely to attach undue importance to it when seen by others.”

Dignity: “To greet someone by saying ‘Hello, old fellow’ indicates ill-breeding. If you are approached in this vulgar manner, it is better to give a civil reply and address the person respectfully, in which case he is quite likely to be ashamed of his own conduct.”

Small talk: “No topic of absorbing interest may be admitted to polite conversation. It might lead to discussion.”

Conduct to avoid at the ball: “No gentleman should enter the ladies’ dressing room at a ball.”

Card-playing: “If possible, do not violate the rules of the game and do not cheat. Should you observe anyone cheating, quietly and very politely call it to his attention, and be careful that you do not get excited. People who experience ill-feeling at the game should avoid playing.”

Marriage: “Anyone with bright red hair and a florid complexion should marry someone with jet-black hair. The very corpulent should marry the thin and spare, and the body, wiry, cold-blooded should marry the round-featured, warmhearted, emotional type.”

Husbands: “Always leave home with a tender goodbye and loving words. They may be the last.”

Train travel: “People with weak eyes should avoid reading on trains, and those with weak lungs should avoid talking.”

Street etiquette: “When crossing the pavement, a lady should raise her dress with the right hand, a little about the ankle. To raise the dress with both hands is vulgar and can only be excused when mud is very deep.” - From The Old Farmer’s Almanac.com

Since Victoria Was Crowned

“Great social reforms belong to Queen Victoria’s reign,” writes William George Jordan, in the Ladies’ Home Journal, narrating the progress of the world since Queen Victoria ascended the throne sixty years ago. “The degrading practice of flogging has been abolished in the armies and navies of America and England. Children are no longer permitted to work in the mines of Britain. Press gangs no longer force men into the service of the Queen’s navy. The Red Cross Society, approved by forty-nine nations, has softened the horror of war. The transportation of criminals, with its many evils, has been suppressed. Executions are no longer conducted in public. The treatment of criminals has become humane. Factory laws and building acts make life easier for the poor. 

“Inventive science has made marvelous progress in every department during Victoria’s sixty years as Queen. Cantilever bridges have surprised the world. Travel has been wonderfully quickened by street cars, cabs, trolleys, cable cars, elevated roads and other triumphs of invention. In 1837 there were no typewriters, no passenger elevators, no modem bicycles, no soda-water fountains, no horseless carriages, no chemical fire-extinguishers, no ironclads, no perfecting presses. Fully chronicling the inventive progress of the last six decades would make it seem as if nothing of real consequence to man’s comfort had been done before 1837.” –Placer Herald, 1897

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

When One Queen “Cut” Another

“If Margaret had been a person of great length and breadth of vision, of surpassing sweetness of temper or of real tact, she would have gone to see the Queen and looked her prettiest, though she would have liked to scratch her eyes out.” MEOW!!

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Queen Margaret (Margherita) was the Queen consort of the Kingdom of Italy from 1878 to 1900, by her marriage to Umberto I (Humbert). –Public domain image of Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy

A LADY OR A TIGER… WHICH?

Society circles as well as Court circles in Europe are seriously concerned over the Florence episode of a few days ago. It seems that Queen Victoria, who was staying at Florence for a season, received a call from King Humbert, but not from Queen Margaret, nor did the latter even send a message or a token of any sort to the Empress of India. It now turns out that this curious cut was all on account of a failure of Victoria to return a call made upon her by Queen Margaret five years ago. Time heals all hurts but those of wounded pride. Such wounds never wholly heal —in the case of women, at least. Men get over such things, but women never. It may even be doubted if time is even a mollifier of this sort of wound, with women who have abundant leisure, and therefore opportunity for reflecting upon the small, as well as, the great things of life.

We are sorry for Margaret, for the great woman knows about the particulars of what happened to her five years ago, when she went over to London to do her fall shopping. At best, most people will say it was small business not to call on so distinguished a person who had come to honor the city of Florence with her presence, whatever might possibly be urged concerning the strictest etiquette in the case. Besides, Victoria is very old, was a mighty sovereign before Margaret was through vulgar fractions, and is also about to retire forever from the gaze of the public, and deserved especial consideration on that account. 

Goethe, who spent many of his early years at Court, declared that true politeness made it important and necessary to exhibit and embellish trifles even to the building them into a system of behavior. This must often demand the finest sense of what is safest to avoid, as well as what to do, and insist upon others doing. If Margaret had been a person of great length and breadth of vision, of surpassing sweetness of temper or of real tact, she would have gone to see the Queen and looked her prettiest, though she would have liked to scratch her eyes out. Or if Humbert had occupied the place in that family that a man should occupy, he would have just dragged his wife over to call. We are sorry for Margaret. – Los Angeles Herald, 1893

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Royal Dignity and Etiquette Melted

Rare photo of Queen Victoria dining with members of her family. The Queen was well-known for her terrible table manners. It was said she could easily put away nine courses in 30 minutes.

Queen Victoria’s Dignity Melted

Just about this time, and for a month or more longer, look out for anecdotes of Queen Victoria. There promises to be a large crop of them, and many are already being harvested. Some are quite true and authentic, while more are not, but it is never a good plan to spoil a readable story because of a little question of veracity. 

One of the most recent Victorian anecdotes is told by a correspondent of the Chicago Times-Herald, who declares that Victoria has ever been very exacting in the matter of Court etiquette. When she holds a reception she always insists upon the performance of every detail of custom. Persons who are fortunate enough to be invited to Court have, therefore, to drill themselves and rehearse their parts, for fear of offending the Queen by any little neglect of manners. Now and then, however Her Majesty unbends. 

On one occasion, in very hot weather, she was receiving a line of sweltering noblemen and ladies. Everybody was suffering from the heat. The Queen turned to an attendant suddenly and exclaimed: “My! Ain't it hot!” It is Court etiquette never to contradict royalty, and the lady addressed replied: “Yes, madam, you are!” On this occasion the Queen forgot both her manners and her grammar.– Placer Herald, 1897

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Royal Row Breaches Etiquette

“According to report, previous to the ceremony and while the Queen and Prince of Wales were standing beneath the bow of one of the ships, they quarreled for several minutes. Both Queen and Prince, as the result ot their quarrel, had an apoplectic appearance when it terminated.”– The Royal Arthur - Public domain image

Queen Victoria and Wales Have a Quarrel at Portsmouth

Portsmouth, February 26th.– Great throngs of people gathered here to see the royal pageant accompanying the launching of the new warships Portsmouth and Gosport. The Queen launched the ironclads with the usual ceremonies.

According to report, previous to the ceremony and while the Queen and Prince of Wales were standing beneath the bow of one of the ships, they quarreled for several minutes. Both Queen and Prince, as the result ot their quarrel, had an apoplectic appearance when it terminated. The cause of the royal quarrel is believed to have originated in some trifling breach of etiquette. 

The two war vessels were christened “Royal Arthur” and “Royal Sovereign.” The only foreign war vessel present was the German warship Oldeborg, the flagship of Admiral Von der Coltz, who was specially commissioned by the Emperor of Germany to be present at the ceremonies as the representative of Germany's young ruler. 

The Royal Arthur is a screw cruiser of 7,700 tons, 12,ooo horse-power, and carries twelve guns. Her name was originally the Centaur, which was changed to Duke of Connaught, and finally, at the last moment, by the Queen's command to Royal Arthur. The Royal Sovereign is a screw battleship of 14,150 tons, 10,000 horse-power and carries fourteen guns. – Daly Alta, 1891

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette for the “Windsor Widows”

 

1887 Jubilee postcard featuring Queen Victoria — Any of her daughters who were widowed had to remain single while Victoria was still in mourning from losing Prince Albert — “... all the widows of the court will marry. It is not royal etiquette for them to take another husband while their royal mistress remains single, but the widows of the castle will become the merry wives of Windsor before the year of state mourning has passed.”

When Queen Victoria takes off her crown forever and lays aside her gold-headed cane for good, there will step into her shoes a woman who will endeavor to point all things in the same direction. But certain changes will be immediately made. For one thing, all the widows of the court will marry. It is not royal etiquette for them to take another husband while their royal mistress remains single, but the widows of the castle will become the merry wives of Windsor before the year of state mourning has passed. Victoria has never smiled upon second unions, and for that reason, her widowed daughters are all single, but that there will be a change in this custom, rumor loudly states.— Mrs. Grey-Canfield, 1896

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

The Royal Favourite Tokay Wine

                                

Tokaji Eszencia can be left for approx. 200 years. It has been described by Louis XIV described Royal Tokay as “the wine of Kings, King of wines.” From Empresses, Tsars, Queens, and Kings to composers, writers and notables, they all describe Tokaji a drink to be cherished and to be known the world over.

“Tokay is a sweet wine that was highly thought of by the Victorians. It is produced near the Carpathian Mountains of northeastern Hungary. 

Tokay can range from dry to sweet, but the best known, although not the most common, form of Tokay is Aszu. In fact, the term “Tokay” is widely used to mean “Aszu Tokay.”

Aszu Tokay is a wonderful sweet dessert wine with high alcohol content. Even in Victorian times it was a bit hard to acquire as the Austrian Emperors, the Tsars, and the Popes acquired most of it.

Aszu Tokay has its own legendary beginnings. In 1650, the area's wine producers, fearing an attack by the Turks, who ruled most of Hungary at that time, delayed the harvest. This delay allowed the “noble rot” to begin to grow on the grapes.

Tokay was a great favorite of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and Peter the Great. Peter used to have armed soldiers guard his yearly shipment of the wine to Russia. It was possible to ship Aszu Tokay far from its point of origin, even over bad roads, because its high alcohol and sugar content made it more stable than regular wine.

As a Princely gesture, the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph, began sending Queen Victoria, Aszu Tokay wine on her birthday — a dozen bottles for each year of her age. Unfortunately for him, it turned out that both he and Queen Victoria were among the longest reigning rulers in the history of Europe — so year after year, more and more bottles of this rare wine went to London. By the year 1900, the total was up to 972 bottles.

Following the Communist takeover of Hungary, the quality of Tokay is said to have gone down as the collective mentality was not conducive to producing great wines. However, with the fall of the Iron Curtain, the situation is changing, and the expertise and investment is flowing into Hungary and improving the product. Perhaps to distinguish the post-Communist product, the wine today is called “Tokaji” — its original spelling. Under either name, Westerners can again enjoy the “Wine of Kings.”

The sweetness of the wine is graded by how many baskets of specially picked grapes with the noble rot, are added to a cask of normal wine. The more the better. The Hungarian word for basket is “puttonyos.” The bottles are labeled by how many puttonyos they have. The highest grade is 6 puttonyos wine.” — From “Forgotten Elegance,” 2001

More on Tokay

More specifics of the world famous Hungarian sweet wine.... Tokaj or Tokaj-Hegyalia is a northeastern wine region in Hungary, bordering the Slovakia grape growing area, called similarly Tokaj or Tokajský. The wine region is naturally bordered by the Bodrod and Tisza rivers and encased by the Zemplén hills. The Tokaj-Hegyalia region contains 5700 hectares of vineyards and over 25 towns and villages.

Research suggests that Aszú grapes were purposely grown and treated from 1550 onwards and sold as sweet wine. However, legend has it that Hungary was set for an Ottoman invasion between the 16 to17th century, so grapes were left there after harvesting. Once landowners came back, namely Prince György Rákó I, and went back to reclaim their family property and fields, the grapes had rotted. The Balkan tradition known as Hegyalja, may have been used to make wine from these grapes.

The grape used is the indigenous major grape varieties of Furmint and Hárslevelű grape, affected by noble rot or Botrytis cinera, a mold, known as aszú berries that concentrates the grape sugars. Minor grape varieties that can also be used are: Sárgamuskotály, Kövérszölö, Zéta, Kabar and Sárga Muskotály.

The sweetness of the wine is measured by the number of puttonyos or baskets. Each basket is 25kgs a unit for the level of sugar, it is traditionally measured by the number of hods of grape affected by noble rot.

3 puttonyos – residual sugar levels 60 grams per litre

4 puttonyos – residual sugar levels 90 grams per litre

5 puttonyos – residual sugar levels 120 grams per litre

6 puttonyos – residual sugar levels 150 grams per litre

Tokay Eszencia - residual sugar levels 450 grams per litre

The rarely made Tokay Eszencia is highly concentrated sweet essence of low alcohol, famous for its restorative effects. It is made in a completely different process that sees the alcohol served in a honey-like consistency. You can today purchase a 1957 Monimpex Aszú Eszencia from 320.00 € for a 500ml bottle.

Once the Tokaji is made, it is stored for many years. The higher residual levels of Tokaji can be left in the deep, mouldy volcanic cellar for decades. These mould lined cellars stabilise the level of humidity averaging 95% all year long. The wine is put into barrels, then transferred to bottles. Some bottles will be laid vertically, however some will be stored upright. Bottles may need re-corking every few years.

Tokaji Eszencia can be left for approx. 200 years. It has been described by Louis XIV as “the wine of Kings, King of wines.” From Empresses, Tsars, Queens, and Kings, to composers, writers and notables, they all describe Tokaji as a drink to be cherished and to be known the world over.

One of the traditions of the Imperial Court of the Hapsburg, was to store barrels and bottles of Tokaji. This would be found on the dining tables of the royal family and given as gifts of goodwill to other European Monarchs.

To consume Tokaji, it is best to serve it between 11 to 14 degrees C. The warmer the wine is, it can appear to be less fresh, and cooled is best. The best pairing to this wine is Magyar Libamáj or otherwise known as Foie Gras. It can be matched with desserts that are perhaps more tart in flavour, than overly sweet.

Today many around the world apply the name tokay, that barely resembles the genuine Hungarian grape or process to make tokay. hopefully the ministry of agriculture of Hungary or Agrárminisztérium, will get closer to applying for the protection of the Tokaji name.

The grape used is the indigenous major grape varieties of Furmint and Hárslevelű grape, affected by noble rot or Botrytis cinera, a mold, known as aszú berries that concentrates the grape sugars

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette.

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Profiles in Fashion— C.F. Worth

A Worth gown depicted on the cover of Harper’s Bazar, in 1894— According to the Telegraph, Charles Frederick Worth was the 

“the Lincolnshire lad who became Queen Victoria's favourite couturier.”

Charles Frederick Worth, the first couturier of this age, and whose death in Paris has been the subject of much remark the world over, was buried recently in the family vault in the village of Suresnes-sur-Seine. On the Wednesday previous a service for the dead was held in the French Protestant Church in the Avenue, de la Grande Armee, Paris. Mr. Worth came to Paris as a young man of 20, the son of a Lincolnshire solicitor, looking out for something to do in the costume way, he having been with Swan & Edgar in London for seven years, and with the sincere determination to carve out for himself an independent fortune. It is not true, as Le Temps rather cruelly suggests, that the youth was of so artistic a temperament that he found England out of harmony with his tastes and feelings, and naturally gravitated to the one city of light and beauty. Young Worth simply emigrated, took the first situation in Paris that looked promising (it was with Gagelins), and threw into his occupation all that AngloSaxon energy which in those days of lesser competition with his own countrymen would assure him ultimate success. 

The World’s Great Milliner

To be candid, Worth did indeed leave England at a disparately inartistic period. It was the days of high stocks for men, poke-bonnets for women and crooked-leg furniture with horsehair. Nothing could be more dreadful. But young Mr. Worth heeded these things not. He came to the city where many of his countrymen have since made their fortune at just the right epoch. “Miss Flora Mc Flimsey of Madison Square” and all her friends, who found in Broadway nothing good enough to wear, were coming over to Europe to learn how to dress and going to Paris for the latest fashions. Mr. Worth saw all this and knew where his fortune lay. Soon after he had learned his business he suggested certain enterprising movements in advance to the house in which he was employed. They hesitated and eventually declined to accept his suggestions, whereupon Mr. Worth left their employ and started a business for himself in the very same premises in the Rue de la Paix in which the business is conducted to-day. 

His life is a contradiction to the axiom that “small beginnings are the way to get on.” Mr. Worth founded a business that from its birth was able to compete with, if not outshine, all his competitors. At the time of his death the house was sending out 10,000 costumes a year, and with every prospect of more. His sons, MM. Jean and Gaston, have now the entire control of the concern, though until very recently Mr. Worth superintended all the details of purchase. In private life Mr. Worth was almost a recluse. He married early a French lady, settled down in a small villa at Suresnes, adjoining the railway station, and used the daily train to go to his business. This villa soon became too small. He added to it ground and thereon built additions; then more ground and more buildings. He had reached from the main road to a public footpath and progress was arrested. Not for long. 

Over the footpath he threw an arch, on the arch continued his building, bought enough land on the other side the path for all his stables, greenhouses and vegetable gardens and another villa and grounds for one of his sons, so that to-day this conglomerate mass of buildings in a dozen styles of architecture forms the immense Chateau Worth, embracing several acres of exquisite grounds. The interiors of the buildings are like the exterior, full of surprises. Staircases greet you everywhere, as the houses are grouped all on the side of a steep hill, and the levels have to be met by stairways. The ceilings are low or high, just as it happens, but all adding to its picturesqueness. The walls are covered with ceramic decorations: plates and pieces of ware of Nantes, of Nevers, of Rouen, of Niderviller, Strassbonrg, Blois, Moustiers, Limoges, Marseilles, Sceaux, Tours, and especially old Quimper grouped there by the hundred. A most interesting place, but little known to the outside world. 

Some years ago I asked Mr. Worth to allow me to photograph his grounds and give a published description of his home. He replied most modestly and firmly : “I am a business man and shall always remain one. Were I to accede to your wish I might pose as something else, and this I have no wish to do.” Charitable in a large way locally, for at Suresnes he was to the poor most bountiful and to a few other charities, he never identified himself with the English colony of Paris, was rarely seen in public, except at the village celebrations of Suresnes, where he was greatly beloved, and on which occasions his purse was always  open. Among commercial men of the nineteenth century few, if any, have known so steady a rise to prosperity entirely through their own industry, perseverance and intelligence as the late Charles Frederick Worth.— Queen, 1895

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia©️ Etiquette Encyclopedia

Lord Melbourne’s Tea Etiquette

Lord Melbourne (1779-1848) was British Prime Minister on two occasions. The first  ended when he was dismissed by King William IV in 1834. He was the last British PM to be dismissed by a Monarch. Six months later he was re-appointed and served for six more years. He is best remembered for being Prime Minister in Queen Victoria’s early years. He coached her in the ways of politics, acting almost as a private secretary and confidante. – Public domain image

Manners at Tea Drinking

On one point at least we may congratulate ourselves, and that is on the improvement in tea table manners. Some old fashioned folk used to signalize the conclusion of their tea drinking by turning the cup upside down in the saucer. In other circles, the recognized sign of a disinclination for more tea was the placing of the spoon in the cup instead of in the saucer. 

When the Queen's first Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, was a lad, residing at Glasgow in the house of one of the university professors —about the end of the last century—he wrote to his mother an account of the Glasgow table manners. “We drink healths at dinner,” he writes, “hand round the cake at tea and desire to have no more exactly in the same manner that we used to behave at Hatfield, at Eton and at Cambridge.”— All the Year Round, 1893

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Kissing the Royal Hand That Rules

“If her Majesty be pleased to extend her hand, the fortunate one so honored, never shakes the hand. It rests on the back of the hand of the one to whom it is given, who, if highly honored, may kiss the royal fingers.”– Above, Queen Victoria receiving news of her accession from Lord Conyngham, kneeling to kiss her hand, and William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury. –1895 photomechanical print from the BritishMuseum.org

Royal Etiquette

The etiquette accorded to royalty always interests me. I have had unusual journalistic facilities for observing all phases of this. It is as ceremonious as between the Prince and Princess of Wales and their guests. Even the daughters of the Prince address him as “Sire” and their mother as “Madame.” They never turn their backs on him, and their greeting courtesy is profound. Well, if this be ceremonious, the etiquette to the Queen is ultra-ceremonious. 

The courtesy to her is well nigh a prostration. The hands are crossed primly on the breast. If her Majesty be pleased to extend her hand, the fortunate one so honored, never shakes the hand. It rests on the back of the hand of the one to whom it is given, who, if highly honored, may kiss the royal fingers. “Thou shall have no others gods but me.” Pshaw! Why docs that sacred line linger in my memory? Anyway, one seems to rather like the courtesies extended to the Queen Empress. – London Letter in the Coronado Mercury, 1887

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Royal Stamp of Approval

The new Queen received a royal stamp of approval. It was the first time that a Queen of England, not reigning in her own right, had appeared on British stamps. 

The Coronation stamp of Great Britain, bearing quarter-length portraits of the new King and Queen side by side, is approximately the size of the Silver Jubilee adhesives issued in 1935 to honor George V. Between the rulers is an Imperial Crown under which are the initials G and E entwined with R. In the lower border is the date, “12 May 1937,” with “Postage Revenue” in the upper part of the frame, and “11/2 d” in each lower corner. It is the first time that a Queen of England, not reigning in her own right, has appeared on British stamps. 

The only other Queen illustrated was Victoria, who always was shown, even on issues coming out soon before her death, as she appeared in her younger days, due to the prevailing etiquette concerning such matters. Almost simultaneously with the Coronation stamp – there will be only one value for Great Britain – the King George V issue to replace the Edward VIII stamps being put on sale. These stamps carry the profile of the new King facing left, with the Crown above. In the corners are a rose, shamrock, thistle and daffodil. – The Sun, 1937

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Palace Arrogance

“The Queen rose herself and, with her own hand, performed the act which her haughty attendants had felt was below their dignity.” – Court Ladies or Ladies in Waiting were personal attendants/personal assistants at a royal court. These ladies attended and accompanied Queens, Tsarinas, Empresses and other noblewomen. In Europe, historically, Ladies in Waiting were noblewomen themselves, but of a lower rank than the women they attended.

The Queen’s Haughty Attendants

Court etiquette is a fearful and a wonderful thing. It is told that on one occasion when the lamp in Queen Victoria's sitting room at Osborne was smoking, her majesty appealed to one of her Ladies in Waiting to lower the wick a trifle. The lady appealed to declined to recognize turning down a lamp as one of her official duties. She passed the information about the lamp to the next Lady in Waiting, who told the third lady, and so it traveled from attendant to attendant while the moments fled and the smoke continued to ascend. Finally, the Queen rose herself and, with her own hand, performed the act which her haughty attendants had felt was below their dignity. – San Bernardino Sun, 1899

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

British Coronation Etiquette – Queen Victoria

Even though an entire era of purported graceful living and good manners was named after Victoria, her manners needed quite a bit of work – According to Kate Hubbard, in her book, “Serving Victoria: Life in the Royal Household” Victoria, “loved her food. She was greedy and she gobbled. She liked her dinners to last no more than half an hour. Guests would quite often find their plates whisked away while they were still eating because once she had finished, all the plates were removed. She was a hearty eater and she was a fast eater.” And as for courtly conversation" at the table? She did not like politics to be brought up, and, oddly, “She didn't like marriage being discussed in front of her youngest daughter, Beatrice, before Beatrice married. Anyone who mentioned marriage at dinner was swiftly reprimanded.”

Remarkable incidents in this most important occasion of a British ruler’s life. Striking features of ceremony from the earliest day to the last great Coronation event of the 19th Century

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The Coronation of England’s Victoria

At seventeen minutes past three on the morning of June 28, 1838, a Royal salute of twenty-one guns announced that the sun was then rising upon the Coronation day of Victoria. By 4 o'clock the streets were so thronged with carriages and pedestrians, that they were in many places impassable and the whole population seemed to have poured out in the direction of the parks and of Westminster Abbey. It was not until half-past ten that her Majesty's carriage passed Apsley House. It moved on amid the loud acclamations of her subjects. The state coach was drawn by eight cream-colored horses and attended by a yeoman of the guard at each wheel and two footmen at each floor. 

Endless grooms and guards attended the long procession. It was as splendid as befitted the rejoicing of the people over a Coronation, that made them happier than any since the time of Alfred. The London Sun of the 28th reported that: The Queen, attended, passed to the altar. Her Majesty, kneeling upon the cushion, made her first offering of a pail of altar-cloth of gold, which was delivered by an Officer of the Wardrobe to the Lord Chamberlain, by his Lordship to the Lord Great Chamberlain, and by him to the Queen, who delivered it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, by whom it was placed on the altar.

After elaborate services followed the sermon by the Bishop of London, then came the oath and the anointing. Then there were further ceremonies of the spurs, the sword, the mantle, the orb, ring and scepters, and at last came the Dean of Westminster bearing the Crown. Tho Archbishop took and placed it on her Majesty's head, when the people, with loud and repeated, shouts, cried: “God save the Queen.” There was a doffing of caps, a sound of trumpets, a beating of drums, a firing of guns. The old report says: “Never did we hear louder or more hearty plaudits, that almost rent the walls of the old abbey, setting at naught all etiquette and ceremony, than those which burst from the lips and hearts of her attached and loyal people, when the Crown was placed on the head of their young and lovely Sovereign.” –San Francisco Call, 1901

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and the Fancy Dress Ball

Engaged to Duke of Roxburghe, Miss May Goelet (photographed  in a suitably elaborate costume for a fancy dress ball) went on to become the newest “American Duchess” of her day. – The Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball was held on the 2nd of July, in 1897, to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, with many prominent royals, aristocrats, and society figures in attendance, it was considered the highlight of the 1897 London Season. Throwing a fancy dress ball was undoubtedly the most fashionable and lavish way for a society hostess to establish herself during the later part of the Victorian era. The fabulously and richly costumed affairs, were widely covered in the newspapers of the day. Every detail of who wore what was covered. For those with more money than social savvy or fashion sense, fancy dress etiquette advice was dished out in costume manuals and books. Guests dressing up as famous historical figures was most popular, but in some cases, peasant costumes from a particular historical era, or dressing up as food, was at times de rigueur.

Royalty Danced in Golden Robes

Duchess of Devonshire's Ball Ends Jubilee Gayety – The Titled of Earth Caparisoned in Costliest Costumes of History – Fancy Dress Event In London Which Rivals the Noted Bradley-Martin Function

LONDON, England, July 2.— The Duchess of Devonshire's historical fancy dress ball to-night was the final gayety of the Jubilee season.

It was an affair which gained only less advance notoriety than the Bradley-Mar-tin ball given in New York City last winter. No royal palace in England was ever filled with a more gorgeous throng than assembled to-night in Devonshire House. The Duchess of Devonshire, as Zenobia, wore a costume of green, white and gold and many huge diamonds. Diamonds hung from the horns of her gold helmet, which was studded with jewels, while beautiful pearls gleamed in chains about her head and shoulders. The Duke of Devonshire appeared as Charles V of Germany.

On the arrival of the royal guests the Duchess conducted them to a dais, where they formed a magnificent group. All wore sixteenth-century costumes, most of them blazing with jewels. The Princess of Wales, masquerading as Marguerite de Valois, appeared in a white and gold dress, with an Elizabethan ruff and with a heavy train gorgeously embroidered with gold and silver, bestudded with many colored jewels. In attendance upon her were her three daughters and the Duchess of York, the last named in a pale blue gown embroidered with silver. Princess Victoria of Wales was attired in a blue and gold brocade costume, embroidered with fleur-de-lis in gold and white.

Six courtiers, members of the highest nobility, wearing handsome costumes of the period of Henri Trois, accompanied the Prince and the Princess of Wales. The Prince, as Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, wore a doublet and trunk hose of black Genoese velvet slashed with gray and white, with a Maltese cross embroidered on his left breast. He wore orders of the Garter and of the Knights of Malta. His hat, high and narrow, was encircled by a jeweled chain. There was a diamond cross in front and white plumes behind. A velvet cape embroidered with a Maltese cross completed his sumptuous equipment. 

The Duke of York as Earl of Cumberland, Queen Elizabeth's Master of Horse, wore one of the most striking costumes. It was composed of a gray velvet doublet and cape embroidered with broad bands of gold, a steel gorget inlaid with gold, crimson velvet trunks slashed with gray satin and embroidered with gold, and high boots. His cape was lined with crimson satin. The Duke of Connaught appeared as an Elizabethan general, he wore a steel cuirass inlaid with gold, and the remainder of his costume was of dark gray velvet slashed with satin and embroidered with gold. The Duchess of Connaught as Anne of Austria wore a costume of pale tan and rose.

Prince Charles of Denmark appeared as a Danish student in dark purple. The Grand Duke Michael of Russia wore a black and gold Henri Quatre suit. The foregoing in no wise exhausting the list of royal personages present, all of whom were caparisoned in the costliest costumes and with the greatest attention to historical accuracy. Many dresses had necessitated a dozen or more sketches by authorities, and were works of high art. Among the guests was Mrs. Ogden Goelet of New York, who wore a wonderful white costume covered with diamond crescents and stars. – San Francisco Call, 1897

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia