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Ton (le bon ton)
Encyclopedia
The ton is a term commonly used to refer to Britain
’s high society
during the Georgian era
, especially the Regency and reign of George IV
. It comes from the French word meaning "taste" or "everything that is fashionable" and is pronounced the same way as tone (tɔ̃ in French
). The full phrase is le bon ton, meaning good manners or "in the fashionable mode" – characteristics held as ideal by the British ton.
The terms Beau Monde (French for "beautiful world", pronounced bo mɔ̃d) and polite society have been interchangeable with le bon ton during different periods.
Ton has also been used as an interchangeable term with the Upper Ten Thousand
of later 19th century society, including most of the peerage, aristocracy and the wealthy merchants or bankers of the City (London).
Members of the ton came from the aristocracy, the gentry, and of course, royalty and monarch(s). Though some wealthier members of the middle classes might possibly have married into the lower ranks of the gentry, such unions would not have been completely accepted by the elite ton. Social positions could be altered or determined by income, houses, speech, clothing, or even manners. Climbing the social ladder could take generations, particularly into the aristocracy who did not readily accept those of inferior birth into their ranks.
, etiquette
, manners, social customs, and many other aspects of social life were all dictated by the ton. The ton's generally acknowledged leaders were the Lady Patronesses of Almack's
who, during the Regency, included Lady Jersey
, Lady Sefton, Lady Cowper
, Lady Castlereagh, and Mrs. Drummond Burrell
. As London's most exclusive mixed-sex social club, Almack’s represented the best and wealthiest among the ton. The conventions of ton life were highly structured and complex, and difficult for anyone born outside of the highest circles to fully understand. Social acceptance was crucial and based primarily, but not exclusively, on birth and family. Acceptable social behaviors were different for men and women; these behaviors were based on an intricate system validated primarily by the patronesses of Almack's, who determined who could be admitted to the club's functions. Some of these behaviors were flexible — they adapted slightly with the fashions of each season, but they always reflected the current modes of manners, fashion, and propriety.
The privileged members of the ton could pursue an opulent, extravagant life of indulgence. But there were often double standards for its members. The flexibility of social rules was unofficially determined by an individual's status, wealth, or family connections. Royalty were forgiven for almost any transgression. Scandalous activities such as having illegitimate children or conducting extra-marital affairs would incite gossip, but were often over-looked for members of the aristocracy. However, such conduct among the gentry could destroy an entire family's social aspirations.
was the name given to the months between late January and early July. It officially began when Parliament
re-opened in London and was an endless parade of social entertainments – balls, theatre parties, dances, masquerades, military reviews, and many other social pleasures to be enjoyed by the ton. Families with marriageable children used the Season to present their children to the ton in hopes of arranging profitable marriages. For this reason, the Season has also been referred to as the "Marriage Mart". For marriageable girls, the Season was an intense period of social networking in which any misstep or breach of social etiquette could spread through gossip circles at Almack’s like wildfire and have potentially ruinous effects on her marriage and social prospects within the ton.
The Little Season ran from September until early November and was an opportunity for girls to attend a few social events before being presented during the full Season.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
’s high society
High society (group)
High society refers to a category of people deemed to have greater social status or prestige, and their related affiliations, social events and practices which together define a group variously referred to as "Society" or high society. Such groups are defined by certain key events and cultural...
during the Georgian era
Georgian era
The Georgian era is a period of British history which takes its name from, and is normally defined as spanning the reigns of, the first four Hanoverian kings of Great Britain : George I, George II, George III and George IV...
, especially the Regency and reign of George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
. It comes from the French word meaning "taste" or "everything that is fashionable" and is pronounced the same way as tone (tɔ̃ in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
). The full phrase is le bon ton, meaning good manners or "in the fashionable mode" – characteristics held as ideal by the British ton.
The terms Beau Monde (French for "beautiful world", pronounced bo mɔ̃d) and polite society have been interchangeable with le bon ton during different periods.
Ton has also been used as an interchangeable term with the Upper Ten Thousand
Upper ten thousand
Upper Ten Thousand, or simply, The Upper Ten, is a phrase coined in 1852 by American poet Nathaniel Parker Willis to describe the upper circles of New York, and hence of other major cities....
of later 19th century society, including most of the peerage, aristocracy and the wealthy merchants or bankers of the City (London).
The Social Ladder
Ton society was intensely class-conscious and the social hierarchy was incredibly rigid. Birth, wealth, titles, and other factors determined class standing:- MonarchMonarchA monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
- RoyaltyRoyal familyA royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
- AristocracyAristocracy (class)The aristocracy are people considered to be in the highest social class in a society which has or once had a political system of Aristocracy. Aristocrats possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch, which once granted them feudal or legal privileges, or deriving, as in Ancient Greece and India,...
- GentryGentryGentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
- Middle ClassMiddle classThe middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
es - ArtisanArtisanAn artisan is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools...
s & Trades people - Servants
- Laboring Poor
- Paupers
Members of the ton came from the aristocracy, the gentry, and of course, royalty and monarch(s). Though some wealthier members of the middle classes might possibly have married into the lower ranks of the gentry, such unions would not have been completely accepted by the elite ton. Social positions could be altered or determined by income, houses, speech, clothing, or even manners. Climbing the social ladder could take generations, particularly into the aristocracy who did not readily accept those of inferior birth into their ranks.
The Best Circles
FashionFashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
, etiquette
Etiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
, manners, social customs, and many other aspects of social life were all dictated by the ton. The ton's generally acknowledged leaders were the Lady Patronesses of Almack's
Almack's
Almack's Assembly Rooms was a social club in London from 1765 to 1871 and one of the first to admit both men and women. It was one of a limited number of upper class mixed-sex public social venues in the British capital in an era when the most important venues for the hectic social season were the...
who, during the Regency, included Lady Jersey
Sarah Villiers, Countess of Jersey
Sarah Sophia Child Villiers, Countess of Jersey , was an English noblewoman, the daughter of John Fane, 10th Earl of Westmorland and Sarah Anne Child. Her mother was the only child of Robert Child, the principal shareholder in the banking firm Child & Co...
, Lady Sefton, Lady Cowper
Emily Lamb, Lady Cowper
Emily Lamb was a leading figure of the Almack's social set, sister to Prime Minister Lord Melbourne, and wife to Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.-The Lamb family:...
, Lady Castlereagh, and Mrs. Drummond Burrell
Priscilla Bertie, 21st Baroness Willoughby de Eresby
Priscilla Barbara Elizabeth Bertie, 21st Baroness Willoughby de Eresby was a daughter of the 3rd Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven. On 23 February 1779, she married Sir Peter Burrell and they later had two children...
. As London's most exclusive mixed-sex social club, Almack’s represented the best and wealthiest among the ton. The conventions of ton life were highly structured and complex, and difficult for anyone born outside of the highest circles to fully understand. Social acceptance was crucial and based primarily, but not exclusively, on birth and family. Acceptable social behaviors were different for men and women; these behaviors were based on an intricate system validated primarily by the patronesses of Almack's, who determined who could be admitted to the club's functions. Some of these behaviors were flexible — they adapted slightly with the fashions of each season, but they always reflected the current modes of manners, fashion, and propriety.
The privileged members of the ton could pursue an opulent, extravagant life of indulgence. But there were often double standards for its members. The flexibility of social rules was unofficially determined by an individual's status, wealth, or family connections. Royalty were forgiven for almost any transgression. Scandalous activities such as having illegitimate children or conducting extra-marital affairs would incite gossip, but were often over-looked for members of the aristocracy. However, such conduct among the gentry could destroy an entire family's social aspirations.
The Season
The SeasonSeason (society)
The social season or Season has historically referred to the annual period when it is customary for members of the a social elite of society to hold debutante balls, dinner parties and large charity events...
was the name given to the months between late January and early July. It officially began when Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
re-opened in London and was an endless parade of social entertainments – balls, theatre parties, dances, masquerades, military reviews, and many other social pleasures to be enjoyed by the ton. Families with marriageable children used the Season to present their children to the ton in hopes of arranging profitable marriages. For this reason, the Season has also been referred to as the "Marriage Mart". For marriageable girls, the Season was an intense period of social networking in which any misstep or breach of social etiquette could spread through gossip circles at Almack’s like wildfire and have potentially ruinous effects on her marriage and social prospects within the ton.
The Little Season ran from September until early November and was an opportunity for girls to attend a few social events before being presented during the full Season.
See also
- Brooks'sBrooks'sBrooks's is one of London's most exclusive gentlemen's clubs, founded in 1764 by 27 men, including four dukes. From its inception, it was the meeting place for Whigs of the highest social order....
- Beau Brummel
- Regency danceRegency danceRegency dance is the term for historical dances of the period ranging roughly from 1790 to 1825. Some feel that the popular use of the term "Regency dance" is not technically correct, as the actual English Regency lasted only from 1811 until 1820...
- Regency fashions
- Regency novelRegency novelRegency novels are either:* Fiction actually written during the Regency era - The works of Jane Austen, Sir Walter Scott, Susan Ferrier, and Maria Edgeworth would fall into this category.* Later fiction set within the Regency era...
s - White'sWhite'sWhite's is a London gentlemen's club, established at 4 Chesterfield Street in 1693 by Italian immigrant Francesco Bianco . Originally it was established to sell hot chocolate, a rare and expensive commodity at the time...