"George IV dressed as Falstaff, and followed by a shambling rabble, advances towards the Queen (right) holding sword, and a round shield on which is a device of four wine-bottles and cork-screws. He stares with apprehensive defiance. She says with a dramatic gesture: "These are the Hireling Miscreants ye produce to Swear away the Life of your Neglected persecuted Queen ? for double fees they'd serve the Traitors Turn, & swear against their King--Leeches--vile Cooks for such a feast." The witnesses are seven men and a woman with patched face and damaged nose. The men are ragged and villainous; the tallest holds a stiletto, one is branded on the forehead with a gibbet. They are shepherded by a tall lean man (Cooke) holding a brief-bag, who walks behind the King; he answers: "I assure you these are the most Respectable Witnesses we could obtain." In his pocket are papers docketed 'Kangaroo Cook' and 'Million'."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Contents of the green bag in propria persona
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to William Heath in the British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Printed on watermarked paper., Window mounted to 23.4 x 33.6 cm, the whole then mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted (with one other print) on leaf 47 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and Figures of "Geo. IV" and "Caroline" identified in black ink at bottom of sheet; date "20 July 1820" written in lower right corner. Typed extract of five lines from the British Museum catalogue description is pasted at bottom of mounting sheet.
Publisher:
Pub. July 20, 1820, by S.W. Fores, 41 Picadilli [sic]
Subject (Name):
Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821, George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Cooke, William, 1757-1832, Leach, John, 1760-1834., and Falstaff, John, Sir (Fictitious character)
Subject (Topic):
Witnesses, Ethnic stereotypes, Shields, and Daggers & swords
"Satire on the royal divorce: George IV as Falstaff in armour facing a motley assemblage of testifers."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Witnesses arrived
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., and Mounted on page 20 of: George Humphrey shop album.
Publisher:
Pub. June 20, 1820, by H. Fores, 16 Panton Str., Haymarket
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821., and Falstaff, John, Sir (Fictitious character)
"Satire on the royal divorce: George IV as Falstaff in armour facing a motley assemblage of testifers."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Witnesses arrived
Description:
Title etched below image., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., Not in the Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires., 1 print : etching ; sheet 23.1 x 33.5 cm., Printed on wove paper with watermark "R. Barnard 1815"; hand-colored., Mounted to 58 x 39 cm., Mounted on leaf 25 in volume 1 of the W.E. Gladstone collection of caricatures and broadsides surrounding the "Queen Caroline Affair.", and With pencil annotation "The Kings witnesses" beneath image, referring to the figures depicted in the center and on the left side of the design; additional pencil annotation identifies the figure of "Geroge IV" on the right side of the design. Date "20 June 1820" added in black ink in lower right corner.
Publisher:
Pub. June 20, 1820, by H. Fores, 16 Panton Str., Haymarket
Subject (Name):
George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830, Caroline, Queen, consort of George IV, King of Great Britain, 1768-1821., and Falstaff, John, Sir (Fictitious character)
