Cartoon, A Scene from English History

Cartoon, A Scene from English History, Queen Eleanor and Fair Rosamond. A satirical comment on Benjamin Disraeli being forced to choose Free Trade over Protectionism (and Resignation) by Richard Cobden and the Free Trade party, which has a majority in the new parliament. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was the wife of King Henry II, and Fair Rosamond was his mistress. According to legend, the Queen forced Rosamond to choose whether to die by the sword or by poison, and Rosamond chose the latter. The implication is that Free Trade is poison to Disraeli, but he prefers it over Resignation

1852 Aquitaine Choose Cobden Comment Depiction Disraeli Forced Majority Opposition Parliamentary Protectionism Resignation Ridicule Rosamond Tory Uncomfortable Unwilling

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