Lady Whistledown’s Guide to Who’s Who (and What’s What) in Bridgerton

Everything you need to know to become a diamond of the first water.

In the world of Bridgerton, navigating the exclusive social sphere known as “the ton” requires mastery of etiquette and form. One must know when to curtsy in greeting or simply nod, how to address everyone from a duchess to a viscount, and the most fashionable names to drop into conversation. But how does one acquire such inscrutable information? 

Fret not — this Bridgerton glossary includes some of the most important whos, whats, and hows of the British aristocracy. A trove of information like this will surely help even an obscure nobody become the diamond of the season. 

Baron

The lowest-ranking noble in the British peerage, a baron is entitled to feel superior toward untitled gentry alone. 

Dance card

While the modern usage is metaphorical, in the Bridgerton era a dance card was literal: a small booklet tied to a lady’s wrist to keep track of her dance partners. After all, it’s considered impolite for any woman to dance too many times with the same man. 

Diamond

Rihanna and Marilyn Monroe aren’t the only ones who appreciate a good sparkler — in the world of Bridgerton, the diamond of the season is the most accomplished, most beautiful, and most eligible maiden on the marriage market, as chosen by Queen Charlotte. 

Dowager/Dower house

A moneyed widow who holds a title or property from her deceased spouse, the dower will typically move to her dower house once the title has passed to the next generation. 

Duke

The highest rank of the British peerage, a duke is the most eligible of all the bachelors of the ton.

Gentleman’s club

When the men of the ton want to blow off steam — or at least escape their wives and mothers — they’ll head to a gentlemen’s club for a glass (or several) of whiskey and a cigar. White’s, a Bridgerton haunt, was founded in 1693, making it the oldest gentlemen’s club in London.

Harridan

Seventeenth-century slang for a strict, bossy, or belligerent old woman (also known as a shrew).

Lady Danbury

Queen Charlotte’s right-hand woman is the fictional Lady Danbury, who was given her title when the queen married into the British royal family. She’s wielded her influence over the ton ever since.

Lady Whistledown

Queen Charlotte’s greatest nemesis is the mysterious author of a gossip sheet read by every member of the ton. Well, mysterious to everyone except Penelope Featherington, the actual writer in question.

Marquess

The second-highest title in the British peerage, a marquess is below a duke but above an earl, a viscount, and a baron. You’ll use Lord and Lady to refer to the marquess and his wife, the marchioness. 

Modiste

A French term for someone who provides the latest fashions for the ladies of the ton. Sure, one could just say dressmaker, but that wouldn’t sound half as chic. 

Pall-mall

A French lawn game perfect for an afternoon diversion, much like croquet. For the Bridgertons, however, it’s an annual high-stakes competition of wills and talent.

Promenade

A leisurely walk taken for pleasure or for the chance to be perceived by fellow members of society, including potential suitors.

Quadrille

One of the dances that all high-born young ladies must learn and master if they even hope to be considered as the season’s diamond. 

Queen Charlotte

The real-life Queen Charlotte was the German-born wife of King George III and spent 57 years on the throne. Due to her husband’s long struggle with mental illness — he was referred to in America as “Mad King George” — the consort and her son the Prince Regent ruled in George III’s stead, defining the era known as the Regency.

Reticule

A small handbag, featuring a drawstring and typically beaded or embroidered, carried by women during the Regency era. 

Season

Spanning the spring and summer months, the social season is a time for the favored families of the ton to open up their London houses for a whirlwind of balls, concerts, and lavish receptions. 

Ton

As you might have gathered, the ton is the who’s who of British high society during the Regency era. These aristocrats and upper-crust gentry are named after the French expression bon ton, or good manners. 

Vêtements

The French word for clothing. (Also, an easy way to sound cultured.)

Viscount

Fourth in the long line of British peers, a viscount sits above a baron but below an earl, a marquess, and a duke. Once a viscount dies, his son — for example, Anthony Bridgerton — inherits the title, and his surviving wife becomes a dowager, leaving room for a new viscountess to marry into the family. 

Additional contributions by Jamie Beckman, Tara Bitran, Anne Cohen, Olivia Harrison, and Ariana Romero.

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