The phrase "gray cardinal" is a mystery to many people who have not met this term. What does it mean? A high-class Catholic clergyman wearing all grey? But the "princes of the church" wear red vestments… So, the literal interpretation of the term is unacceptable here. So who is this then?
To understand this issue, find out the meaning of these words and get acquainted with specific examples from world history and everyday life, this article will help the reader.
How the expression came about
The roots of the phrase go back to medieval France, in those days when religion and politics were still relatives, not stepsisters. One of the most famous French characters of the 17th century is Armand Jean du Plessis, better known as Cardinal Richelieu. According to historians, this figure actually led the foreign and domestic policy of the French crown and had a tremendous influence on King Louis XIII. For the scarlet colors of the vestments laid down for the clergymanof his rank, one of Richelieu's nicknames was "Red Cardinal".
But very few people know who guided Richelieu himself. This person is known under the name Francois Leclerc du Tremblay. This is a man of noble blood who chose for himself the path of a monk of the Capuchin order, forever dressed in a gray cassock and taking the monastic name Father Joseph. It was he who led the “Richelieu Office”, an organization that kept the whole of France in fear. It was this person who carried out the most subtle and dark assignments for his patron, while caring about the final result, and not about the ways to achieve it. Father Joseph is the "gray cardinal", or "gray reverend." So he was called for the color of the Capuchin attire and his outstanding ability to conduct a political process without attracting attention to himself. The paradox is that du Tremblay became a real cardinal of the Catholic Church only in the year of his death.
"Gray Cardinal" in the paintings of artists
The painting by French artist Jean-Leon Gerome depicts Father Joseph in the modest gray robes of a Capuchin monk, calmly descending the stairs of the palace and immersed in reading. The reaction of the courtiers to his presence is amazing. Absolutely everyone, even the we althiest people, bowed their heads in unison before the monk and tore off their hats. The monk did not honor the people bowing before him even with a fleeting glance, not paying any attention to their respect. So great was the importance of the "grey eminence" at the French court.
Another canvas depicting Father Joseph is by Charles Delo and is called Richelieu and his Cats. In addition to the red cardinal and his favorites, in a dark corner, at a table littered with papers, one can distinguish a man in a gray robe with a surprisingly concentrated and intelligent face. This is how the artist depicted the "gray cardinal".
What does "gray cardinal" mean
Since the life of Father Joseph, many years have passed, but this expression has gained such popularity that it is still used today. The cassock has been replaced by a business suit, religion has ceased to play one of the main roles in politics, but the "gray cardinals" still exist.
Who is called the "grey eminence"? This is an influential person of a greater mind, as a rule, from the category of high-ranking politicians. The "gray cardinal" is a strategist who prefers to solve his problems not directly, but through the hands of other people, while remaining in the shadows, not going on stage. This is a master puppeteer, skillfully pulling the strings of his puppets, forcing them to do their will.
"Eminence Gray" is a person who masterfully owns a number of skills, such as compromising evidence, PR, black PR, brute force through third parties, financial impact, and so on.
Examples from history
"Eminence grise" is an expression that is widely used in the period of modern and recent history. Let's look at a few examples.
Adolf Frederik Munch, an 18th-century Swedish politician, enjoyed an uncondition althe trust of King Gustav III. On his wise advice, the Swedish monarch, in the confrontation with the Russian Empire, launched the production of fake Russian coins of high quality. The economic advantage allowed the Swedes to start military operations, which at that time brought a positive result.
Who was called the "grey eminence" in China? Shoemaker Li Lianying's son. But how did a simple poor man manage to become a “grey eminence”? Hearing that eunuchs, castrated men, enjoyed the greatest influence at the court of the emperor, the young man performed the operation himself. In the service of the emperor, a young servant conspired with one of his rejected concubines, eventually making her his beloved wife and the last empress of China.
Joseph Fouche, Minister of the French Police at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, was a classic "gray eminence". Collecting dirt on every significant figure, Fouche achieved great influence, while remaining in the shadows. The unique ability of this man was the ability to change the patron with such ease and naturalness, as some people take off and put on gloves. Five times he managed to survive the transfer of power from the royalists to Napoleon and all five times to remain in his high position, and, moreover, one of the favorites of the ruler.
Grey cardinals of the Kremlin
In the recent history of Russia, there are also figures who have received such a nickname. So, who were the Kremlin's "gray cardinals"?
In the early years of the third millennium, such a nicknameattached to Alexander Stalievich Voloshin, who headed the Administration of the President of Russia. In the picture taken on December 31, 1999, Voloshin is symbolically captured behind the backs of two leaders - Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
In the second decade of the 21st century, Vladislav Surkov began to be called such an expression. The “grey eminence” of the Kremlin, holding the position of assistant to the President, plays a crucial role in the political processes of the country. Vast experience in the media and in the field of public relations allows this person to subtly feel the conjuncture of people's mood and skillfully manage it.
Music and film expression
In the album of the national rock band "Prince" there is a song with the same name. The first quatrain of Andrey Knyazev perfectly reveals the essence of the “shadow ruler”.
Secret power is the business of the smart, And in any game you need to be able to
To get to the point, quietly and silently, Subdue and take possession.
In the cult TV series The X-Files, not one person acts as a "shadow power", but a whole secret government, the existence of which is unknown to ordinary people.
And in board games
There are several board games that use the expression "grey eminence". For example, in the game of the same name from Russian authors Alexander Nevsky and Oleg Sidorenko, the player will have to feel himself in this difficult role. In a card game,draw cards of the inhabitants of the palace from the deck: jester, general, seer, bard, alchemist, murderer, judge, king and queen. With their help, it is necessary to gain political influence at the court. The winner of the game is the one who has the most "weight" at the end of the game.
Another reference is found in another board game - Runebound. One of the skills in this game is called "Eminence Gray" and allows you to remove any enemy combat token, significantly weakening it with this action.
