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Cartoon, True Reform of Parliament
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Cartoon, True Reform of Parliament
Cartoon, True Reform of Parliament, ie Patriots lighting a Revolutionary Bonfire in New Palace Yard, by James Gillray. Showing Sir Francis Burdett at the centre, watching the burning of documents such as the Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus, while a mob sets fire to the House of Commons. A comment on demands for parliamentary reform. Date: 1809
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Media ID 14231211
© The Sharp Illustration Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1800s 1809 Acts Bill Bonfire Burdett Burning Carta Cobbett Comment Commons Corpus Criticism Documents Francis Gillray Harsh Legislation Lighting Magna Parliament Parliamentary Patriots Reform Revolution Revolutionary Satire Satirical True Unrest Westminster Whig Whigs Yard Rights
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical print by James Gillray, titled 'True Reform of Parliament' or 'Patriots lighting a Revolutionary Bonfire in New Palace Yard,' depicts a chaotic scene in London's Westminster area during the late 1800s. At the center of the image, Sir Francis Burdett, a prominent Whig politician and reformer, watches as a mob sets fire to the House of Commons. The fiery bonfire consumes various documents, including the Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus, symbolizing the public's growing discontent with the existing parliamentary system. The cartoon serves as a harsh commentary on the demands for parliamentary reform that had been gaining momentum during this period. The Whigs, led by figures like Burdett, sought to expand the franchise and increase the power of the House of Commons. However, their efforts were met with resistance from the ruling elite, leading to widespread unrest and calls for more radical action. Gillray's satire captures the volatile political climate of the time, with the mob's destructive actions representing the frustration and anger of the people. The burning of the Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus, two foundational documents of English law and individual rights, underscores the severity of the situation and the potential consequences of inaction. Overall, this powerful image serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of political reform throughout history.
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