BLANCHE´FLEUR (2 _syl._), the heroine of Boccaccio's prose romance called _Il Filopoco_. Her lover Flores is Boccaccio himself, and Blanchefleur was the daughter of king Robert. The story of Blanchefleur and Flores is substantially the same as that of _Dor´igen and Aurelius_, by Chaucer, and that of "Diano´ra and Ansaldo," in the _Decameron_. BLAND´MOUR (_Sir_), a man of "mickle might," who "bore great sway in arms and chivalry," but was both vainglorious and insolent. He attacked Brit´omart, but was discomfited by her enchanted spear; he next attacked sir Ferraugh, and having overcome him took him from the lady who accompanied him, "the False Florimel."--Spenser, _Faëry Queen_, iv. 1 (1596). BLANDE´VILLE (_Lady Emily_), a neighbor of the Waverley family, afterwards married to colonel Talbot.--Sir W. Scott, _Waverley_ (time, George II.). BLAND´FORD, the father of Belin´da, who he promised sir William Bellmont should marry his son George. But Belinda was in love with Beverley, and George Bellmont with Clarissa (Beverley's sister). Ultimately matters arranged themselves, so that the lovers married according to their inclinations.--A. Murphy, _All in the Wrong_ (1761). BLAN´DIMAN, the faithful man-servant of the fair Bellisant, and her attendant after her divorce.--_Valentine and Orson_. BLANDI´NA, wife of the churlish knight Turpin, who refused hospitality to sir Calepine and his lady Sere´na (canto 3). She had "the art of a suasive tongue," and most engaging manners, but "her words were only words, and all her tears were water" (canto 7).--Spenser, _Faëry Queen_, iv. (1596). BLANDISH, a "practised parasite." His sister says to him, "May you find but half your own vanity in those you have to work on!" (act i. 1). _Miss Letitia Blandish_, sister of the above, a fawning timeserver, who sponges on the wealthy. She especially toadies to Miss Alscrip "the heiress," flattering her vanity, fostering her conceit, and encouraging her vulgar affectations.--General Burgoyne, _The Heiress_ (1781). BLANE (_Niell_), town piper and publican. _Jenny Blane_, his daughter.--Sir W, Scott, _Old Mortality_ (time, Charles II.). BLA´NEY, a wealthy heir, ruined by dissipation.--Crabbe, _Borough_. BLARNEY (_Lady_), one of the flash women introduced by squire Thornhill to the Primrose family.--Goldsmith, _Vicar of Wakefield_ (1765). BLAS´PHEMOUS BALFOUR. Sir James Balfour, the Scottish judge, was so called from his apostacy (died 1583). BLA´TANT BEAST (_The_), the personification of slander or public opinion. The beast had 100 tongues and a sting. Sir Artegal muzzled the monster, and dragged it to Faëry-land, but it broke loose and regained its liberty. Subsequently sir Cal´idore (_3 syl._) went in quest of it.--Spenser, _Faëry Queen_, v. and vi. (1596). [Illustration] "Mrs. Grundy" is the modern name of Spenser's "Blatant Beast."