One of the weapons employed by the Irish Land League, in its campaign against the landlords. It consists in ostracizing the person aimed at, and forbidding any one to deal with or work for him, or supply his wants. Its first victim was Captain Boycott, the agent of the Earl of Erne in 1880, and from his name the word is derived. Boys. The name given by Walpole to the party of young Whigs, under William Pitt, who acted with the “Patriots” in 1733. Braemar Gathering. _See_ Hunting of Braemar. Brahmins. The highest or priestly caste among the Hindus. Brahmo Somaj. A Hindu sect, founded in 1830 by Rammohun Roy. Its tenets are monotheistic, rejecting the numerous gods of the Hindu Pantheon, and adoring Brahma as the supreme deity. Its adherents ignore all caste distinctions. Brandy Nan. Queen Anne was so called by the Londoners. Bras de Fer. The sobriquet of Baldwin, first Count of Flanders. Bras Droit du Cardinal. A nickname of François du Tremblay, the familiar of Cardinal Richelieu. He was also called the _Alter Ego_ of Richelieu, and _l’Eminence Grise_. Brass Band, The Pope’s. A band of agitators in Ireland, under the leadership of John Sadleir, who stumped the country in opposition to the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill in 1851. Brave des Braves, Le Plus. The sobriquet of Marshal Ney, conferred on him by Napoleon during the Russian campaign of 1812. Bread and Cheese War. A peasant revolt in Kemmerland and Friesland in 1491, caused by the exaction of the Ruytergeld, notwithstanding the enormous price of bread. Bread Riots. A series of disturbances in various parts of England, in 1816, caused by the high prices of food-stuffs, due to the bad harvest and the cessation of the Great War. In many places it was necessary to call out the military to disperse the rioters. Breda, Compromise of. The agreement between the Catholic and Protestant nobles of the Netherlands to agitate for the exclusion of the Inquisition. It was signed at Breda in 1566, and from it originated the Society of the _Gueux_. Breda, Declaration of. A manifesto issued by Charles II, in 1660, after the retirement of Richard Cromwell. By this instrument he promised a general amnesty, liberty of conscience, the settlement by Parliament of the various claims to forfeited estates, and payment of all arrears due to the army, subject always to such advice as might subsequently be tendered him by Parliament. Breda, Peace of. Three treaties signed by England with Holland, France and Denmark respectively in 1667, after the naval war with Holland, in which de Witte had succeeded in penetrating to Sheerness. By the treaty with Holland, each country retained her conquests, England thus securing New York and New Jersey, and Holland, Surinam. By the treaty with France, England acquired St. Kitts, Antigua and Montserrat, and restored to France Nova Scotia and Cayenne. By that with Denmark, the latter power reserved her right to the Orkneys. Brehon Law.