Rule Britannia
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The Regimental March of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, 'Rule Britannia', written by James Thomson (1700-1748), was first introduced into 'The Masque of Alfred' the earliest performance of which took place at Clevenden in 1740. Dr Thomas Augustine Arne composed the music. The old Regimental march was 'Young May Moon', formerly used for marching past in Quarter Column on Ceremonial Parades. 'Rule Britannia' was first taken into use in about 1881 when the Regiment was first named 'The Norfolk Regiment.'
The Regimental march of the Royal Anglian Regiment incorporates 'Rule Britannia' and 'Speed The Plough', the Regimental march of the Suffolk Regiment.
Click to hear the Royal Anglian March

At 0530 hours the BBC Radio 4 programme opens with 'The UK Theme', a compilation of tunes: 'Greensleeves', 'The Lass of Richmond Hill', 'Men of Harlech', 'Scotland The Brave' and 'Danny Boy'? It concludes with Rule Britannia!
B&C 100

'On one side of a penny is the Queen's head.
On the other is a young lady, riding a bicycle, called Ruby Tanyer.'
1960s Schoolboy Howlers Book.

Click coin to enlarge

Britannia on a penny

Britannia was the original name given by the Romans to the province that comprised what is now England and Wales (neighbouring Ireland was known as Hibernia, Scotland was Caledonia, Germany was Germania, Brittany was Armorica and France was just plain Gaul). After the Romans left, the name gradually fell into disuse, but later, in the days of the Empire, it came to represent the spirit of Britain.
Since 1672, Britannia has been anthropomorphised into a woman wearing a helmet, carrying a shield and trident. It is a symbol that blends the concepts of empire, militarism and economics.
The poem 'Rule Britannia' by James Thomson (1700-48) was put to music by Dr Thomas Augustine Arne (around 1740) and is sung as an
unofficial national anthem. Composed by Arne for his masque Alfred, 'RuIe Britannia!' was first heard at a performance given at Cleveden House, Maidenhead - then the residence of Frederick, Prince of Wales - when the masque was given to celebrate the accession of George 1 and the birthday of the Princess Augusta. This most popular of all English national airs was first heard in London in 1745 and achieved instant popularity. So well known was it that Handel even quoted it in his 'Occasional Oratorio' in the following year when it was sung to the words, 'War shall cease, welcome peace!'. Predictably 'Rule, Britannia!' was seized upon by the Jacobites and James Thomson's words were altered accordingly.

Rule Britannia

When Britain first, at Heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main;
This was the charter of the land,
And guardian Angels sung this strain:

Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.

The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall:
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,
More dreadful, from each foreign stroke:
As the loud blast that tears the skies,
Serves but to root thy native oak.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame:
All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown.

To thee belongs the rural reign;
Thy cities shall with commerce shine:
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.

The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair:
Blest isle! With matchless beauty crowned,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.

James Thompson (1700-48)

Rule Britannia!

Site edited and maintained by Major JL Raybould TD Editor, Norfolk Section, The Britannia and Castle
B&C Norfolk Editor

With acknowledgement to: www.britannia.com/rulebrit.html   http://ingeb.org/songs/rulebrit.html