Defeat Gallery

Queen Margaret placing a paper crown on the head of the Duke of York, c1450-c1460 (18th century(?)).Artist: Brown

Queen Margaret placing a paper crown on the head of the Duke of York, c1450-c1460 (18th century(?)). Margaret of Anjou (1430-1482), Queen Consort of Henry VI of England with Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York (1411-1460). Their rivalry was a major catalyst for the Wars of the Roses. Richard governed England as Lord Protector during Henry's mental illness in 1453-1454 and held ambitions to take the throne for himself. After a lengthy power struggle, Richard was killed by Lancastian forces at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460. His head was displayed on a pike above Micklegate Bar in York, wearing a paper crown. His son took the throne as King Edward IV the following year after the Yorkists decisively defeated the Lancastrians at the Battle of Towton

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Vae Victis!, 1871

Vae Victis!, 1871. The newly proclaimed Emperor of Germany, in the helmet of Victory, leads his troops into the French capital over the fallen body of Paris. His own crown contrasts with his horse treading on the crown of Paris. This relates to France's loss of the war against Prussia. The war began in July 1871, and on 1st March 1871, 30, 000 German troops made a triumphal entry into their foe's capital. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 11, 1871

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The Scene on Spion Kop - Major Thorneycrofts Desperate Situation, 1900. Creator: Frank Craig

The Scene on Spion Kop - Major Thorneycroft's Desperate Situation, 1900. British forces captured what they thought was the summit of Spion Kop. The Boers held higher ground and counter-attacked, swarming the British position, all higher ranking British officers were killed or mortally wounded, leaving Thorneycroft the most senior officer present. From "South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. III", by Louis Creswicke. [T. C. & E. C. Jack, Edinburgh, 1900]

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