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The baby was not born: Princess Charlotte died in childbirth on 6 November 1817

The Prince Regent presenting to political ministers the expected baby of Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, who urinates in their faces; representing the burden of taxation required by the Royal family. Coloured etching by G. Cruikshank, 1816.

1 print : mezzotint ; platemark 35.4 x 25.3 cm

King George IV as Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick Duke of York, as children. Mezzotint by J. Watson after C. Read, ca. 1770.

King George IV, near the end of his life, sits obese, haggard, and gouty, on a chair surmounted by a crown. Wellington says to him: "A great deal of fever remaining - considerable irritation to be got rid of, then the pill will work well - take plenty of punch by way of alternative." The King replies: "Oh! doctor! doctor! your remedies are worse than the disease - they are undermining the constitution!"

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; border 35 x 24.6 cm

A gouty patient having his pulse taken by a doctor; representing George IV's opposition to Catholic emancipation, and Wellington's support of it. Coloured etching by T. Jones, 1829.

The Prince Regent bearing a steaming bowl to Lady Hertford says: "Come my good Lady take another sup and you will be able to bring forth some more", she replies: "Well I'll try! but I hope they won't have such thick heads as the last". Perceval is saying to the little men: "Now my little gentlemen stand up, and do as I bid you, here we go up up up", perhaps refering to Lady Hertford's recommendation of leniency to the Regent regarding government

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; platemark 25 x 35.5 cm

The Regent approaching Lady Hertford who is giving birth to fully dressed little men, Perceval (dressed as a nurse) helps them stand up; representing additions to the ministry after the removal of the Regency restrictions. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1812.

The King says: "I wish this seat of mine was like a music stool that I migh[t] scree it up or down at pleasure oh'my dear mind how you touch it for it is very tender - altho'it is not so large as it was by a great deal". His mistress replies: "I shall be very gentle with it my love; but I think the application I am going to put to it will do it good, as you say it [ce]rtainly is not so big as it was; but I think it has swell'd a little since it has been in my lap but however if the swelling becomes troublesome to you I can soon take it down - and I tell you what my dear you shall go into Hertfordshire the inland country air will agree better with you than the sea breese. I'll get the Yarmouth coachman to drive us down: only you must not go into the greasy kitchen as you did at Brighton, lowers you so much my dear & do try if you can keep sober!!!". The Queen exclaims: "Hertford air indeed! Might as well send him to jersey! No! No! I'll see if I can't take his toe in my hand myself; as to air tis as fine about Richmond as it is anywhere - he shall have as much old hock as he likes & I think he will be delighted with my champaigne! & for exercise he shall ride his new hobby up and down Waterloo place". The document in the king's pocket reads: "Intended application for a divorce".

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; platemark 22.3 x 33.7 cm

King George IV having his gouty foot massaged by his mistress Marchioness of Hertford while his wife Queen Caroline listens in the doorway. Coloured etching, ca. 1820.

The King says: "Throw it away. I can't get any of them to suit me", the Duke replies: "Happy I am to see the Whig discarded - I'll try and administer something that shall fit your M- better"

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; platemark 26.2 x 36.7 cm

The gouty George IV using tongs to pass his discarded wig to Wellington; representing the Duke's appointment to office as First Lord of the Treasury. Coloured etching by W. Heath, 1828.

xvi, 172 pages : illustrations, facsimiles ; 23 cm

Sir William Knighton : the strange career of a Regency physician / by Charlotte Frost.

The persons shown are listed below in this catalogue record, starting from the left
The print contains extensive dialogue and annotations

1 print : etching, with watercolour ; image 21.7 x 32.8 cm

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The Prince Regent presenting to political ministers the expected baby of Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, who urinates in their faces; representing the burden of taxation required by the Royal family. Coloured etching by G. Cruikshank, 1816.

King George IV as Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick Duke of York, as children. Mezzotint by J. Watson after C. Read, ca. 1770.

A gouty patient having his pulse taken by a doctor; representing George IV's opposition to Catholic emancipation, and Wellington's support of it. Coloured etching by T. Jones, 1829.

The Regent approaching Lady Hertford who is giving birth to fully dressed little men, Perceval (dressed as a nurse) helps them stand up; representing additions to the ministry after the removal of the Regency restrictions. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1812.

King George IV having his gouty foot massaged by his mistress Marchioness of Hertford while his wife Queen Caroline listens in the doorway. Coloured etching, ca. 1820.

The gouty George IV using tongs to pass his discarded wig to Wellington; representing the Duke's appointment to office as First Lord of the Treasury. Coloured etching by W. Heath, 1828.

Sir William Knighton : the strange career of a Regency physician / by Charlotte Frost.

John Bull about to be bled by three doctors; representing Britain's budget manipulated by the cabinet. Coloured etching by J. Phillips?, 1830.

A letter to the Prince of Wales, on a second application to Parliament, to discharge debts wantonly contracted since May, 1787.

Verses most respectfully addressed to his royal highness the Prince of Wales.

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The Prince Regent presenting to political ministers the expected baby of Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, who urinates in their faces; representing the burden of taxation required by the Royal family. Coloured etching by G. Cruikshank, 1816.

King George IV as Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick Duke of York, as children. Mezzotint by J. Watson after C. Read, ca. 1770.

A gouty patient having his pulse taken by a doctor; representing George IV's opposition to Catholic emancipation, and Wellington's support of it. Coloured etching by T. Jones, 1829.

The Regent approaching Lady Hertford who is giving birth to fully dressed little men, Perceval (dressed as a nurse) helps them stand up; representing additions to the ministry after the removal of the Regency restrictions. Coloured etching by C. Williams, 1812.

King George IV having his gouty foot massaged by his mistress Marchioness of Hertford while his wife Queen Caroline listens in the doorway. Coloured etching, ca. 1820.

The gouty George IV using tongs to pass his discarded wig to Wellington; representing the Duke's appointment to office as First Lord of the Treasury. Coloured etching by W. Heath, 1828.

Sir William Knighton : the strange career of a Regency physician / by Charlotte Frost.

John Bull about to be bled by three doctors; representing Britain's budget manipulated by the cabinet. Coloured etching by J. Phillips?, 1830.

A letter to the Prince of Wales, on a second application to Parliament, to discharge debts wantonly contracted since May, 1787.

Verses most respectfully addressed to his royal highness the Prince of Wales.

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

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Wellcome collection