"North and Fox as supporters of the Coalition Arms (cf. BMSat 6369 (5)), which rest on the prostrate body of the king, on whom North rests his left foot and Fox his right. North stands (left) dexter, holding in his right hand a flag on which are two demons and the word 'Coalition'; the staff is surmounted with a skull; in his left is a small flag with thirteen oblique stripes, an allusion to the loss of the Colonies, which forms part of the first quarter of the arms. Fox holds a ragged cap of Liberty on its staff; his right hand, resting on the escutcheon, holds a small axe which forms part of the second quarter of the arms. The crest is formed of the heads of North and Fox back to back, in profile, right; from their mouths comes a ribbon with the word 'Faction'. The motto which supports the figures of Fox, North, and I the king, is 'Neck or Nothing'. Beneath the plate is a printed explanation of the Coalition Arms: 'Lately granted by a new College of Arms to two Illustrious Persons for their numerous and distinguished Virtus "Go and do thou likewise". They are thus emblazoned: First Quarter. A Standard with the Thirteen Stripes of the American States; Base, Edmund St Omer's [Burke], like a skilful Dentist, drawing the Teeth of a Lion. Second. Quarterly, First and Fourth, Implements of Gambling; Sinister Chief, a declining Axe; Dexter base, the head of Charles, Martyr; Fesse Point Arms of H--ll--d [Holland, the arms of Fox, cf. BMSat 6423]. Third. A Gallows, Two Halters charged Proper. Fourth. Britannia Renversed. Crest. Janus, with the motto Faction. Supporters. Dexter, the Promoter of Independence with the Flag of Coalition. Sinister; the Man of the People, with a Liberty Cap worn Threadbare; both Supporters trampling on an injured------[King] who is extricating Himself from their Oppression.' The arms are as described: Burke (half length) applies a pair of forceps to the teeth of a lion, seated passively. Above them is a paper inscribed 'Reform Bill' (cf. BMSat 5645, &c). The implements of gambling are dice-box, dice, and cards. From the gallows hang a fox (left) and North (right). Britannia, seated head downwards, holds out an olive-branch, emblematical of the peace and the loss of America."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from item., Original issue of no. 6441 in Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires; with the printmaker's initials and date intact., The printed explanation of the arms below the plate begins: "Key to the coalition arms," and ends with: "These arms were given from the Herald's Office to the two men, for their many and distinguished virtues. 'Go and do thou likewise.'", and Mounted to 38 x 27 cm.
Publisher:
Published by M. Smith, March 8, 1784, and sold at No. 46 in Fleet Street
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain and England
Subject (Name):
George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820., Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806., and North, Frederick, Lord, 1732-1792.
Subject (Topic):
Britannia (Symbolic character), Politics and government, Coats of arms, Liberty cap, Foxes, Lions, Gambling, Gallows, and Clothing & dress
