Parliamentary Reform Banner, Rulers may Order

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

22496

Title

Parliamentary Reform Banner, Rulers may Order and Kings Command

Description

Plain white weave cotton banner with painted design on one side. In centre, a heart shape with clasped hands holding the motto scroll, cor unum via una, (One Heart One Way). Above are bound rushes and the words BIND FAST, thistles, roses and shamrocks to each side. Above and below are two scrolls with the words RULERS may ORDER & KINGS command BUT THE POWER of the PEOPLE who can WITHSTAND. Union flag on top left corner. Above top scroll is a rising sun with face and under lower scroll a crescent moon. Cartoons in three corners: top right, 'a long pull and a strong pull and a pull altogether', three men pulling down the House of Commons; lower right, 'sore work', a man with his nose to a grindstone being turned his master saying, 'that's it, NOW a fine working system'; lower left , 'hard work', master whipping a man burdened by bag with the word TAXES

Date

1832

Size

H169cm x W218cm

Type

Banner

Location

The People's Story

Accession number

HH4583/85

The rising sun is a symbol of reform, the bound rushes, clasped hands and Union Flag, are all symbols of unity. The strident statements are unusual for a banner of this early period. Two of the cartoons are of the oppression of the poor, by exploitation and high taxation. However, the overall message is that through unity, the power of the people will prevail.

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Related subjects

Events > Demonstrations > Protest movements

Government > National > Parliamentary Reform

Government > National > Suffrage

Government > National > Taxes

People > Politics and government > Political Movements