The Comic History Of England Collection

Field of Battle (in a fog) near Barnet, . Artist: John Leech
Field of Battle (in a fog) near Barnet, c1860, (c1860). The Battle of Barnet was a decisive engagement in the Wars of the Roses

King James rescued from the New River, 1897. Creator: John Leech
King James rescued from the New River, 1897. King James I of England (1566-1625) granted a charter in 1604 for the design and construction of the New River

Henry VII. and Perkin Warbecks Wife, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Henry VII. and Perkin Warbecks Wife, 1897. Lady Catherine Gordon, wife of pretender to the throne Perkin Warbeck, kneels sobbing at the feet of King Henry VII who is dressed anachronistically in

Flight of Rookwood, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Flight of Rookwood, 1897. Ambrose Rookwood (c1578-1606) was a member of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He fled London to warn the other conspirators that Guy Fawkes had been caught

Hostilities between England and France, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Hostilities between England and France, 1897. A Frenchman, wearing a full skirt and Phrygian cap, threatens a top-hatted Englishman at the point of a bayonet

Good Queen Bess, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Good Queen Bess, 1897. Queen Elizabeth I in a large ruff, glasses and unusual hat. Behind her a cockatoo perches on the letter T

The Second George, 1897. Creator: John Leech
The Second George, 1897. Caricature of King George II of Britain and Ireland (1683-1760). From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

Philip (of England and Spain) hears of his wifes death, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Philip (of England and Spain) hears of his wifes death, 1897.Philip celebrates by throwing his hat in the air. (King Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) married Queen Mary I of England (1516-1558) in 1554

King James having a Holiday, 1897. Creator: John Leech
King James having a Holiday, 1897. James I wearing exaggeratedly wide breeches, holds an unusual bird in his gloved hand. (King James VI and I (1566-1625) was a keen huntsman)

George I. putting on a clean Collar, 1897. Creator: John Leech
George I. putting on a clean Collar, 1897. King George I of Great Britain (1660-1727) is shown with a pot belly and an exaggerated collar

English Archer of the Period (from such a rare old print), 1897. Creator: John Leech
English Archer of the Period (from such a rare old print), 1897. Medieval longbowman in metal breastplate and helmet. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

Discovery of the Laws of Gravitation by Isaac Newton, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Discovery of the Laws of Gravitation by Isaac Newton, 1897. English scientist Isaac Newton (1642-1727) discovered gravity when he watched an apple fall

Awkward Mistake, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Awkward Mistake, 1897. An unfortunate soldier receives a cannonball in the stomach. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

Edwards pretty new toy, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Edwards pretty new toy, 1897. Prince Edward plays with his crown. (Edward (1537-1553) ruled as King Edward VI from 1547 until his death aged 15)

Dutch William, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Dutch William, 1897. Caricature of King William III of England (1650-1702) as a Roman emperor, with sandals and a laurel wreath

Henry wooing Catherine Parr, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Henry wooing Catherine Parr, 1897. An obese King Henry VIII kneels and takes the hand of Catherine Parr. (Henry and Catherine, his sixth and last wife, were married from 1543 until his death in 1548)

Philip of Spain, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Philip of Spain, 1897. King Philip in feathered cap, ruff, cape, doublet and hose. (King Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) married Queen Mary I of England (1516-1558) in 1554)

Great Seal of William and Mary, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Great Seal of William and Mary, 1897. The royal seal of King William III (1650-1702) and Queen Mary II (1662-1694) of Great Britain and Ireland

Delight of Henry at having a Son and Heir, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Delight of Henry at having a Son and Heir, 1897. King Henry VIII is overjoyed at the birth of his son Edward, who wears the ostrich feathers denoting the Prince of Wales

I m a Dutchman, 1897. Creator: John Leech
I m a Dutchman, 1897. Caricature of King William III of England (1650-1702). Also known as William of Orange, he was born in Holland and succeeded to the English throne on the death of James II

The Last of the Stuarts, 1897. Creator: John Leech
The Last of the Stuarts, 1897. King James II of England (1633-1701), portrayed as a dog, is unceremoniously booted out of the door

Queen Anne going to open Parliament, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Queen Anne going to open Parliament, 1897. Queen Anne of Great Britain and Ireland (1665-1714) is carried in a sedan chair

Joy for the Union, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Joy for the Union, 1897. A tartan-clad Scottish piper with the symbols for pounds, shillings and pence on his bagpipes. In 1707

Titus Oates in the Pillory, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Titus Oates in the Pillory, 1897. Titus Oates (1649-1705) was an Anglican priest who made up the story of the Popish Plot of 1678, a plot against the government

Wolsey surrendering the Great Seal, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Wolsey surrendering the Great Seal, 1897. Wolsey cries into his handkerchief as he hands over the Great Seal. (The Seal was used to confirm formal documents)

The Merry Monarch, 1897. Creator: John Leech
The Merry Monarch, 1897. Caricature of an unshaven King Charles II of England (1630-1685), depicted with the legs of a satyr and holding a glass of wine

Birth of the Princess Elizabeth, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Birth of the Princess Elizabeth, 1897. King Henry VIII looks despondently at his newborn daughter, while wishing for a male heir

Queen Marys Elopement, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Queen Marys Elopement, 1897. Mary leaves under cover of darkness, and is helped into a boat by a tartan-clad man, possibly Lord Bothwell. (Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) was married three times

Noble Lord. - I believe I m engaged to your La ship for the next dance, 1897
Noble Lord. - " I believe I m engaged to your La ship for the next dance", 1897. A foppish man claims a dance with a woman holding a fan, possibly a satire on the English monarchy

Cardinal Campeggio and Mr. Sampson. I can hear nothing now, Mr. Sampson. 1897
Cardinal Campeggio and Mr. Sampson. " I can hear nothing now, Mr. Sampson.", 1897. The cardinal with a red-nosed lawyer

Charles driving the Mall, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Charles driving the Mall, 1897. Caricature of King Charles II of England (1630-1685) driving a carriage down the Mall in London while smoking

Cardinal Wolsey at Boulogne, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Cardinal Wolsey at Boulogne, 1897. Wolsey riding a bucking horse. (Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (1475-1530) encouraged King Henry VIII to attack Boulogne in northern France in 1544)

Lord Darnley, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Lord Darnley, 1897. Darnley in ruff, cape, doublet and hose. (Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (1545-1567), was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots)

T. Oates Esq, 1897. Creator: John Leech
T. Oates Esq, 1897. Titus Oates (1649-1705) was an Anglican priest who made up the story of the Popish Plot of 1678, a plot against the government

Henry 8th - after Wholebine, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Henry 8th - after Wholebine, 1897. A satire on Hans Holbein the Youngers portrait of King Henry VIII, made in 1537. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

Domestic Habits, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Domestic Habits, 1897. Young woman wearing a cap at work in a kitchen. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett, with satirical illustrations by John Leech

Mary arranging for the Christening, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Mary arranging for the Christening, 1897. Possibly a satire, (in questionable taste), on Queen Mary II of England (1662-1694) who was unable to bear children

One of the Merry Monarchs Occupations, 1897. Creator: John Leech
One of the Merry Monarchs Occupations, 1897. Caricature of King Charles II of England (1630-1685) feeding geese, attended by his spaniels

Henry practising previous to challenging Francis, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Henry practising previous to challenging Francis, 1897. King Henry VIII, wearing boxing gloves, practices with a punchbag bearing a caricature of King Francis I of France

The Merry Monarch at Home, 1897. Creator: John Leech
The Merry Monarch at Home, 1897. Caricature of King Charles II of England (1630-1685) lounging on his throne being read to by a young woman. Charles famously had several mistresses

Politeness of Francis to Henry, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Politeness of Francis to Henry, 1897. King Francis I of France, with exaggeratedly hooked nose and holding a pair of boots

A General at Sea, 1897. Creator: John Leech
A General at Sea, 1897. Caricature of an army officer in Napoleonic-era uniform, sitting on a wooden toy horse. At sea here implies incompetence

A Point of Honour, 1897. Creator: John Leech
A Point of Honour, 1897. Man in 17th century dress with a letter on the point of his sword. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

Henry in a Seedy State, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Henry in a " Seedy" State, 1897. Illustrated letter A - King Henry VIII looking glum. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

Hackney Coachman, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Hackney Coachman, 1897. Caricature of a London jarvey or jarvie, the driver of a 19th-century hackney coach. This was a hireable vehicle with two horses and six seats

Henrys Tent, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Henrys Tent, 1897. A miserable-looking King Henry VIII holding an umbrella. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett, with satirical illustrations by John Leech

On the wane, 1897. Creator: John Leech
On the wane, 1897. The Moon as a letter C, with a caricature of a man with a bandaged nose, possibly Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

Harry, the English Apollo, 1897. Creator: John Leech
Harry, the English Apollo, 1897. An obese King Henry VIII portrayed as a roly-poly toy. From " The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett

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"The Comic History of England" is a whimsical journey through the annals of English history, brought to life by the talented artist John Leech. With his unique blend of humor and satire, Leech transports us to various pivotal moments in time, where we witness both the grandeur and absurdity that shaped this great nation. In "Field of Battle (in a fog) near Barnet, " Leech captures the chaos and confusion of war with his intricate illustrations. We can almost feel the tension as armies clash amidst a dense fog, highlighting the unpredictability of conflict. Moving forward, we encounter "King James rescued from the New River. " Here, Leech showcases his ability to find humor even in unlikely situations. As King James finds himself in an unexpected predicament within London's water supply system, we are reminded that even royalty is not immune to mishaps. Another notable moment depicted by Leech is "Henry VII. And Perkin Warbecks Wife. " Through clever visual storytelling, he explores historical controversies surrounding imposters claiming royal lineage. The juxtaposition between Henry VII's skepticism and Warbeck's wife's desperation creates a humorous commentary on political intrigue. As our journey continues with "Flight of Rookwood, " we witness daring escapes and thrilling adventures unfold before our eyes. Leech masterfully captures these exhilarating moments with dynamic illustrations that leave us eagerly turning each page. Throughout this comic history, Leech also delves into international relations such as in "Hostilities between England and France. " By exaggerating cultural stereotypes and satirizing diplomatic tensions, he sheds light on how politics often devolves into farcical exchanges. We cannot overlook iconic figures like "Good Queen Bess" or "The Second George, " who receive their fair share of comedic treatment from Leech. His caricatures bring these historical personalities to life while adding an element of lightheartedness to their stories.