Quarterings
Posted by Paulina on May 02, 1998 at 10:39:47:
In response to the New River Club, written by Kate on May 01, 1998 at 10:07:16
] -What on earth is a family with 16 quarterings?
Old money...coats of arms where two 'great families' have married show the arms of both. More inter-marriage produces 'quartered' coats of arms-like Queen Elizabeth II's. This is a double joke, I think, the club being for the ridiculously aristocratic or well-bred, NOT for the nouveau riche, but that the aristocratic are also 'mouldering away' etc. failing.
There is a similar reverse joke with the wedding feast, the 'county' guests being regaled on cider and pies etc- traditionally peasant fare, while the peasantry feast on caviare sandwiches(!) and champagne. It's all a reflection of the British class system which would have ensured that such a celebration in reality would have had two 'tables' with 'refined' food for the 'county' (landed gentry) and 'plain' food for the agricultural labourers.
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