John Bull

John Bull

John Bull, a imaginary figure shown in Cartoons and caricatures, personifies England as being pictured as a prosperous Farmer of tue 18th century. He normally wears a tailcoat with breeches and a Union Flag waistcoast and a lower topper on his head. He is always accompanied by a bulldog. His size represents prosperity and gold 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. Arbuthnot was a Scottish scientist, doctor and political satirist, who introduced John Bull as the typical Englishman. John Bull played an important role during the Napoleonic Wars, where he became the national symbol of freedom, loyalty to king and county 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, 2003.