The World's Largest Public Domain Media Search Engine
Jefferies, in the character of Atropos, cutting the thread of English Liberty, British Cartoon Print

Similar

Jefferies, in the character of Atropos, cutting the thread of English Liberty, British Cartoon Print

description

Summary

Print shows King John seated at a small table outside his tent, signing Magna Carta, behind him stand by two bishops. Four men are pulling a rope, the "thread of English Liberty", which is attached to King John's chest and passes through their hands to a spinning wheel operated by William III and beyond where it binds scrolls labeled "Habeas Corpus Act", "Free Elections", "Magna Charta", and "Trial by Juries", it is then taken up by Lord Marshall, here playing the title role, "Jefferies in the character of Atropos", who is cutting the scrolls free, "Bill of Rights" in his hands and "Security of Private Property", "Appeals", and "Killing is Murder" on the ground at his feet. (Source: Stephens)

Includes caption printed below title: "Expla. Magna Charta drawn from the heart of King John; confirmed & perfected by King William, in the Character of Lachesis [i.e., Clotho] at the Spinning Wheel; & Judge Jefferies cutting the Thread, in the Character of Atropos."
Includes four lines of verse from "Pope's Homer": "The Furies that relentless breast have steel'd, / And Curst thee with a heart that cannot yield. / Yet think a Day will come when Fate's decree / And angry Men, shall wreak this wrong on thee."
Mounted on laid paper with watermark across bottom: B HUGHES.
Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires / prepared by Frederic George Stephens, v. 4, no. 4441
Forms part of: British Cartoon Prints Collection (Library of Congress).

date_range

Date

1600 - 1700
create

Source

Library of Congress
copyright

Copyright info

No known restrictions on publication.

Explore more

john
john