Regency Culture and Society: Lampooning the Regent (Pun Intended)

George Cruikshank, 1812

One of political cartoonist George Cruikshank’s favorite subjects was naturally the namesake of the era, the Prince Regent (or Prinny as you like). I stumbled upon these two delightful send-ups on the hunt for something else and thought I would share.

Apparently the top PRINCE OF WHALES Cartoon was inspired by a poem published some months before penned by Charles Lamb. Here is the relevant section:

There is some question on whether or not Lamb was the originator of the Prince of Whales turn of phrase.

George Cruikshank, July 1816