Britain celebrates a jubilee, again
The country is marking anniversaries more often, but less confidently
In ramsbottom there was roistering, beer and “rustic sports”. In Bletchington people enjoyed roast beef and “as much ale as they could drink”. In Llanrothal there were “copious libations of cider”. Sunday School children in Spilsby were given “a plum-cake and a glass of wine each, to drink his Majesty’s health”. Britain’s first jubilee, held in 1809 for George III, was celebrated with abundant quantities of beer and an even more abundant supply of Georgian euphemisms for “everyone got extremely drunk”. There are numerous “loyal toasts”, plenty of “patriotic toasts”, a lot of “patriotic songs” and an almost unseemly amount of “regaling”. You can all but smell the ale on their breath.
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Land of hops and glory”
Britain May 28th 2022
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