The Island of Sicily was formerly so called, owing to its remarkable fertility.
Grand Alliance, 1701.
An alliance formed in 1701 between England, Holland, and the Empire, to maintain the balance of power, supposed to be threatened by the bequest of the Spanish Crown to a French Prince. It was followed by the war known as the War of the Spanish Succession.
Grand Alliance, 1813.
The alliance between Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Sweden and Austria, which led to the downfall of Napoleon, and his first abdication in the following year.
Grand Corruption.
A nickname of Sir Robert Walpole, in allusion to his constant employment of bribery to gain his ends.
Grand Old Man.
The sobriquet of Mr. Gladstone, generally abbreviated into G.O.M.