The phrase “gray cardinal” is a mystery to many people who have not met this term. What does it mean? Catholic clergyman from higher circles, wearing all gray? But after all, the “princes of the church" wear red vestments ... So, a literal interpretation of the term is unacceptable here. So who is it then?
To understand this question, to find out the meaning of these words and to get acquainted with specific examples from world history and everyday life, this article will help the reader.
How did the expression
The roots of the phrase go back to medieval France, in those days when religion and politics were still native, and not half-sisters. One of the most famous for the general public characters in France of the XVII century is Arman Jean du Plessis, better known as Cardinal Richelieu. According to historians, this figure actually led the foreign and domestic policies of the French crown and had a tremendous influence on King Louis XIII. For the scarlet colors of vestments assigned to a clergyman of his rank, one of Richelieu's nicknames was the Red Cardinal.
But very few people know who directed Richelieu himself. This person is known under the name Francois Leclair du Tramble. This is a noble blood man who chose the path of a monk of the Capuchin Order for himself, forever clothed in a gray cassock and taking the monastic name of father Joseph. It was he who oversaw the “Chancellery of Richelieu," an organization that kept France in fear. It was this man who carried out the most subtle and dark instructions for his patron, while taking care of the final result, and not of the ways to achieve it. Father Joseph is the “gray cardinal,” or “the gray reverend.” So he was called for the color of the Capuchin robe and his outstanding ability to conduct the political process without attracting attention. The paradox is that the real cardinal of the Catholic Church du Tramble became only in the year of his death.
"Gray Cardinal" in the paintings of artists
The painting by the French artist Jean-Leon Jerome depicts Father Joseph in the modest gray robes of a Capuchin monk, calmly descending the stairs of the palace and absorbed in reading. The reaction of the courtiers to his presence is amazing. Absolutely everyone, even the most wealthy people, in unison bowed their heads before the monk and tore off their hats. The monk did not honor the people bowing before him with a fleeting glance, without paying any attention to their reverence. So great was the significance of the “gray cardinal” at the French court.
Another painting on which father Joseph is depicted belongs to the brush of 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, you can distinguish a man in a gray robe with a surprisingly focused and intelligent face. So depicted the artist "gray cardinal."
What does “gray cardinal” mean?
Many years have passed since the life of Joseph’s father, but this expression has gained such popularity that it is still used today. Sutan was 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 "gray cardinal"? This is an influential person of a greater mind, as a rule, from the category of high-ranking politicians. "Gray Cardinal" is a strategist who prefers to solve his tasks not directly, but with the hands of other people, while remaining in the shadows, without going on stage. This is a master puppet master skillfully pulling the strings of his puppets, forcing them to fulfill their will.
“Gray Cardinal” is a person who masterfully owns a number of skills, such as compromising materials, PR, black PR, brute force through third parties, financial impact and so on.
History examples
"Gray Cardinal" is an expression that has been widely used in the period of modern and recent history. Let's look at a few examples.
Adolf Frederick Munk, an 18th-century Swedish politician, enjoyed the unconditional trust of King Gustav III. On his clever advice, the Swedish monarch in the confrontation with the Russian Empire arranged the production of fake high-quality Russian coins. The economic advantage allowed the Swedes to begin military operations, which at that time brought a positive result.
Who was called the "gray cardinal" in China? The son of a shoemaker Li Lianying. But how did the simple poor manage to become a "gray cardinal"? Hearing that the eunuchs, neutered men, are the most influential in the court of the emperor, the young man personally performed an operation on himself. In the service of the emperor, a young servant conspired with one of his rejected concubines, making her eventually his beloved wife and the last empress of China.
Joseph Foucher, Minister of French Police at the turn of the 18th – 19th centuries, was the classic “gray cardinal”. Gathering incriminating evidence on each significant figure, Foucher achieved a huge influence, while remaining in the shade. The unique ability of this person 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.
"Gray Cardinals" of the Kremlin
In the recent history of Russia, there are also figures who have received such a nickname. So, who was called the “gray cardinals” of the Kremlin?
In the early years of the third millennium, such a nickname was attached to Alexander Stalievich Voloshin, who led 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 was called such an expression. The “gray cardinal” 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 moods and to skillfully manage it.
Expression in music and films
In the album of the domestic rock band "Prince" there is a song with the same name. The first quatrain of Andrei Knyazev reveals the essence of the “shadow ruler” in the best possible way.
Secret power is the work of smart people
And in any game you need to be able to
To get to the point, quietly and silently,
Subjugate and possess.
In the cult series The X-Files, the role of “shadow power” is not just one person, 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 "gray cardinal." For example, in the game of the same name by Russian authors Alexander Nevsky and Oleg Sidorenko, the player will feel himself in this difficult role. In a card game, it is necessary to draw cards from the deck of the inhabitants of the palace: the jester, general, seer, bard, alchemist, killer, judge, king and queen. With their help, it is necessary to gain political influence at the court. The winner in the game is the one who at the end of the game has the greatest "weight".
Another mention is found in another board game - Runebound. One of the skills in this game is called the “Gray Cardinal” and allows you to remove any enemy combat token, significantly weakening it with such an action.