John Bull

An imaginary figure shown in cartoons and caricatures, personifies England as being pictured as a prosperous member of the gentry. He normally wears a tailcoat with breeches and a Union Flag waistcoat and a lower topper on his head. He is often accompanied by a bulldog. His size represents prosperity and good health. John Bull’s character is supposed to be that of a drinking man, who is down-to-earth, honest, straightforward, fond of dogs, horses, ale and country sports. His first appearance was in a series of political satires by John Arbuthnot. John Bull played an important role during the Napoleonic Wars, where he became the national symbol of freedom, loyalty to king and country and of resistance to French aggression.

Sources:

http://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/JohnBull.htm

Rogers, Ben: Beef and Liberty: Roast Beef, John Bull and the English Nation, London: Chatto & Windus, 2003.