Cognomens?

Question

Where can one find info on the criteria upon which cognomens are bestowed on monarchs?

I am curious to find out why the single greatest British Queen, Victoria, was never styled as 'the Great'. Answers received thus far still prove to be somewhat unsatisfactory as they fail to provide an answer that will explain how she is simply Queen and Empress whilst Peter-, Elizabeth- and Catherine the Great had not achieved (or then, for argument's sake, Russia) as much as she has?

Answer 1

A cognomen is a name, especially a descriptive nickname or epithet acquired through usage over a period of time. They are not bestowed, but become part of every day conversation and usage.

Victoria was known as the "Grandmother of Europe" because many of her children and grandchildren married into the royal families of other European countries.

http://www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanitie...

Queen Victoria's coronation was held on 28 June, 1838. The Whig Party was in power and the Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne, became political advisor to the inexperienced young Queen. Melbourne taught the Queen much about how to be a ruler in a 'constitutional monarchy', where the monarch had very few real powers, but could exert influence if he or she chose.

Melbourne had a private suite at Windsor Castle, and the pair grew to be close friends. This gave rise to Victoria's nickname 'Mrs Melbourne' in court circles; but Melbourne, who had recently lost a son, was very much a paternal figure, filling a gap in the Queen's life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A13915613

Albert, the Prince Consort, died of typhoid fever on 14 December 1861 due to the primitive sanitary conditions of Windsor Castle. His death devastated Victoria, who entered a state of mourning and wore black for the remainder of her life. She avoided public appearances and rarely set foot in London in the following years. Her seclusion earned her the name "Widow of Windsor". She blamed her son Edward, the Prince of Wales, for his father's death, since news of the Prince's poor conduct had come to his father in November, leading Prince Albert to travel to Cambridge to confront his son.

After the death of Prince Albert, Victoria began to rely increasingly on a manservant from Scotland, John Brown.  A romantic connection and even a secret marriage have been alleged, but both charges are generally discredited. However, when Victoria's remains were laid in the coffin, two sets of mementoes were placed with her, at her request. By her side was placed one of Albert's dressing gowns while in her left hand was placed a piece of Brown's hair, along with a picture of him. Rumours of an affair and marriage earned Victoria the nickname "Mrs Brown".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victo...

Queen Victoria was distant from the people and even more so after the death of Prince Albert, so perhaps this is why she did not achieve "the Great".  Or perhaps simply being Victoria said it all.

best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Actually, Queen Victoria was not the single"greatest" British monarchy in English history. Both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were remembered as "great" monarchs as well. Henry was responsible for the Reformation in England and founded the Church of England with himself as its supreme head. Elizabeth brought stability for England and showed tolerance towards both Protestantism and Catholicism.

Victoria did not accomplish enough to be considered a "great" monarch. Queen Victoria is only remembered as the longest reigning British monarch and the figurehead of a vast empire. She oversaw vast changes in British society and gave her name to an age. Britain was evolving into a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch had few powers and was expected to remain above party politics. Although Victoria did sometimes express her views very forcefully in private, she was still very much a symbolic figure. Queen Victoria was credited for placing a strong emphasis on morality and family values, and did gain her the nickname “Grandmother of Europe.”