court intrigue
Royal political maneuvering
Court intrigue is the scheming and political maneuvering among those close to power—historically in royal courts, now in any center of authority.
It involves secret alliances, betrayal, manipulation, and jockeying for influence: The novel is full of court intrigue and assassination plots.
The phrase evokes a world where advancement comes through cunning rather than merit.
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- alliancesFormal unions for cooperation
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
power play · political maneuvering · espionage · diplomacy · coup · behind closed doors · blackmail · monarchy · royal favor · cunning · lady-in-waiting · Borgia · propaganda · rivalries · ambition · privy council · throne room · gossip
- medievalknights, castles, cathedral, kings, queens
- Medieval Europekings, queens, knights, castles, castle
- high societygossip, socialites, socialite, aristocrats, aristocrat
- medieval courtkings, lord, queens, lady, queen
- period dramaperiod costumes, costume drama, Victorian era, period piece, Edwardian era
- princely courtsthrone room, courtiers, royal advisors, nobles, ladies-in-waiting
court intriguepublic discourse
Open societal conversation
plain dealing · straight talk · open government · public accountability · transparency
court intriguedemocratic process
Collective decision-making by citizens
rule of law · due process · direct action · parliamentary procedure · parliamentary debate