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.
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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
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Look up English rose in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
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)
- Davis, Sheila. The songwriters idea book. Writer's Digest Books p.103. 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.
- 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.
- 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.