- Museum number
- 1851,0901.1286
- Title
- Object: The Introduction of the Pope to the Convocation at Oxford, by the Cardinal broad-bottom.
- Description
-
A satire on the approaching election for the Chancellorship of Oxford University. Grenville, dressed as a cardinal, heads a small procession towards the Devil, who wears a robe on which is a large cross, and holds the bland mask with which he has been hiding his face. Grenville, bowing low, and deferentially holding his large hat, holds out a paper: Catholic Petition for the vacant Chancellorship with a Plan for Erecting a New Popish Sanhedrim on the ruins of old Alma-Mater, The Devil says: Well done my Children! This is all the Convocation I would have; in his left hand is a pitchfork. The Marquis of Buckingham, dressed as a Jesuit, stands behind him, one hand on his shoulder, the other holding his barbed tail. Beside him is Canning (unrecognizable) wearing a Jesuit's biretta. Beside the Devil is a greyhound with the head of Grey, its collar inscribed Popish Gray Hound. Immediately behind Grenville walks the Pope, wearing his tiara, and holding his cross; he holds up Grenville's robe on which is a large cross. Napoleon crouches behind the Pope, holding on to his robes and hiding under his mantle. He wears a crown, with uniform and spurred boots; his hand is on the hilt of his sword. Behind walk together Temple, enormously fat and dressed as a monk, and his brother, Lord George Grenville, similarly dressed. The former carries the Host, the latter a lighted candle. In the background rows of bishops and clergymen face the procession. Bishops in the front row, humbly sweeping the ground with their mitres, bow low, each clasping a Mass Book, while those behind cheer with raised mortar-board, hand, or Mass Book. On five of the books are the names of bishoprics: York [Vernon], St Asaph [Cleaver], London [Randolph], Oxford [Moss], Norwich [Bathurst]. Above the design (and the bishops): Golgotha, i.e: the place of Skulls.
1 December 1809.
Hand-coloured etching.
- Production date
- 1809
- Dimensions
-
Height: 275 millimetres
-
Width: 380 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- (Description and comment from M. Dorothy George, 'Catalogue of Political and Personal Satires in the British Museum', VIII, 1947)
On Portland's death in Oct. 1809 Grenville and Eldon were candidates for the Chancellorship of the University, the latter supported by the Ministry and the 'Protestant interest'. The Duke of Beaufort was a third candidate. After his resignation (see No. 11370) Canning was expected to join the Grenvilles. The prospects of Grenville's return to office gained him support from the 'higher clergy'; his chances of success were largely due to 'a tottering Ministry'. His position was made difficult by a resolution of the Irish Catholics that he should present their petition to Parliament. The Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London, Oxford, Lincoln (see No. 10748), and St. Asaph worked zealously for Grenville. The result was in doubt till the last; polling was on 12 and 13 Dec.; the votes: Grenville 406, Eldon 390, Beaufort 288. 'The No-Popery Yell' was said to have 'completely recoiled on the heads of those who made it.' H.M.C., Dropmore MSS. ix. 337, 341-438; Letters of Scott, ii, 1932, 267-9; Roberts, The Whig Party, 1807-12, 1939, pp. 67-71, 342 f. For the Grenvilles and the Catholics see (e.g.) No. 10986. The association of Napoleon with the Pope is fantasy: Pius VII had excommunicated him, see No. 11360. 'Golgotha': 'Part of the theatre at Oxford where the heads of houses sit.' Grose, Dict, of the Vulgar Tongue, 1785. See Nos. 11534, 11570 (a sequel).
Grego, Gillray, p. 367. Wright and Evans, No. 256. Reprinted, G.W.G., 1830. Broadley, i. 300.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated names
-
Associated with: George Nugent Temple Grenville, 1st Marquess of Buckingham
-
Associated with: Henry Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich
-
Associated with: George Canning
-
Associated with: William Cleaver, Bishop of St Asaph
-
Associated with: George Nugent Grenville, 2nd Baron Nugent
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Associated with: Thomas Grenville
-
Associated with: William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville
-
Associated with: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
-
Associated with: Charles Moss, Bishop of Oxford
-
Associated with: Napoléon I, Emperor of the French (Napoleon)
-
Associated with: Pope Pius VII
-
Associated with: John Randolph, Bishop of London
-
Associated with: Edward Harcourt, Archbishop of York
-
Associated with: Richard Grenville, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
- Acquisition date
- 1851
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1851,0901.1286
