Chapter Bloods to Blue Beard of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Bloods to Blue Beard

Bloods (The Five): (1) The O’Neils of Ulster; (2) the O’Connors of Connaught; (3) the O’Briens of Thomond; (4)the O’Lachlans of Meath; and (5) the M‘Murroughs of Leinster. These are the five principal septs or families of Ireland, and all not belonging to one of these five septs were (even down to the reign of Elizabeth accounted aliens or enemies, and could “neither sue nor be sued.”

William Fitz-Roger, being arraigned (4th Edward 11.) for the murder of Roger de Cantilon, pleads that he was not guilty of felony, because his victim was not of “free blood,” i.e. one of the ‘five bloods of Ireland;” and the plea was admitted by the jury to be good.

Robertus de Waley, tried at Waterford for slaying John M‘Gillimorry,in the time of Edward 11., confessed the fact, but pleaded that he could not thereby have committed felony, “because the deceased was a mere Irishman, and not one of the five bloods.”—Sir John Davies.

Bloody (The), Otho 11. emperor of Germany (955,973–983).

Bloody-Bones, a bogie.

As bad as Bloody-bones or Lunsford [i.e.sir Thomas Lunsford, governor of the Tower, the dread of every one].—S.Butler:Hudibras.

Bloody Brother (The), Otho a tragedy by Beaumont (printed 1639). The “bloody brother” is Rollo duke of Normandy, who killed his brother Otto and several other persons. Rollo was himself killed ultimately by Hamond captain of the guard. (See Appendix, Fletcher.)

Bloody Butcher (The). The duke of Cumberland, second son of George 11., was so called from his barbarities in the suppression of the rebellion in favour of Charles Edward, the young pretender. “Black Clifford” was also called “The Butcher” for his cruelties (died 1461).

Bloody Hand, Cathal, an ancestor of the O’Connors of Ireland.

Bloody Mary, queen Mary of England, daughter of Henry V111.and elder half-sister of queen Elizabeth. So called on account of the sanguinary persecutions carried on by her against the protestants. It is said that 200 persons were burnt to death in her short reign (1553—1558).

Bloody Wedding (The), that of Henri of Navarre with Marguerite, sister of Charles 1X. of France. Catharine de Medici invited all the chief protestant nobles to this wedding, but on the eve of the festival of St. Bartholomew (August 24,1572), a general onslaught was made on all the protestants of Paris, and next day the same massacre was extended to the provinces. The number which fell in this wholesale slaughter has been estimated at between 30,000 and 70,000 persons of both sexes.

Bloomfield (Louisa), a young lady engaged to lord Totterly the beau of 60, but in love with Charles Danvers the embryo barrister.—C. Selby: The Unfinished Gentleman (1841).

Blougram’s Apology (Bishop), a poem by Robert Browning on the question whether a clergyman “who doubts the articles of the Christian faith is justified in retaining his living.” The answer given is that “disbelief is only doubt, and in all charges the criminal is allowed the benefit of a doubt.”

No Christian doctrine is capable of mathematical, scientific, or experimental proof.

Blount (Nicholas), afterwards knighted; master of the horse to the earl of Sussex.—Sir W. Scott: Kenilworth (time, Elizabeth).

Blount (Sir Frederick), a distant relative of sir John Vesey. He had a great objection to the letter r, which he considered “wough and wasping.” He dressed to perfection, and, though not “wich,” prided himself on having the “best opewa-box, the best dogs, the best horses, and the best house” of any one.