This book will be the first dedicated study of the remarkable role of Georgian caricature in the equally remarkable Queen Caroline controversy of 1820-21. When the newly crowned George IV, formerly the Prince of Wales, refused to recognise his estranged wife Caroline as the rightful queen of the Britain, her refusal to rescind her claim to the throne provoked a huge campaign of sympathy and support that almost toppled the government. The British people rallied round the 'injured' queen in their hundreds of thousands, and massed rallies, processions, protests and petitioning became daily news.
The Queen Caroline controversy was the zenith of the 'Golden Age' of caricature, a tour-de-force of imagination, wit, inventiveness and sheer political mischief. In image after image, Caroline triumphs over her cowardly and conniving enemies, subverting gender and political hierarchies, and giving a presence and voice to her unenfranchised followers. This book therefore aims tochronicle and analyse this achievement.

Explores the role of popular caricature in the controversy over Queen Caroline in 182021 Argues for the period as the 'golden age' of caricature Considers Caroline's role as a symbol of democracy

Autorentext

Ian Haywood is Professor of English at the University of Roehampton, UK.

Inhalt

1. Queen Caroline Comes Home .- 2. A Queen on Trial .- 3. Victory and Popular Coronation .- 4. Backlash .- 5. A Radical End.