Family Compact

British  

noun

1. the ruling oligarchy in Upper Canada in the early 19th century

2. (often not capitals) any influential clique

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Family Compact

France almost immediately took part with Spain, in accordance with the terms of the Family Compact.

From A History of the Four Georges, Volume II by McCarthy, Justin

The two powers of the House of Bourbon were still bound by the Family Compact, and eager for allies in the strife with England which the struggles in India and America were bringing hourly nearer.

From History of the English People, Volume VII The Revolution, 1683-1760; Modern England, 1760-1767 by Green, John Richard

But in the '45 he had taken no part, and he revealed to the British Government the existence of the Bourbon Family Compact.

From James Boswell Famous Scots Series by Leask, W. Keith (William Keith)

Worst of all, it soon appeared that Godoy was bent on reviving the policy of the Family Compact, making common cause even with the murderers of Louis XVI in order to thwart England's expansion oversea.

From William Pitt and the Great War by Rose, John Holland

Index: Mc His opinion of Mackenzie, 3; on the Family Compact, 10; on revolution, 18; on Mackenzie, 27; view of parliamentary government under Constitutional Act, 54, 55.

From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various