Holy Alliance
a league concluded at Paris, Sept. 26, 1815, between Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, Francis of Austria, and Frederick William III. of Prussia, and signed with their own hands, and without the countersign of a minister. Despite a declaration of its high and holy purpose, its aim was to maintain the power and influence of the existing dynasties, to uphold absolute monarchy, and suppress republican movements. Indications that the purposes of the Holy Alliance were likely HOLY GRASS (Hierochloe borealis), to be extended to the small republics a sweet-smelling grass belonging to the HOLYHEAD tribe Phalarideæ, about a foot high, with a brownish glossy lax panicle. It is sometimes strewed on the floors of churches on festival days, whence its name.