678. Britain: God Save the King (Part 2)
Summary
This episode explores the history of "God Save the King," tracing its rise as Britain’s national anthem during the 1745 Jacobite uprising and the Napoleonic Wars. The hosts discuss its ambiguous origins, its adoption by over 20 other nations, and its evolution from a pro-Hanoverian rallying cry to a symbol often sneered at by British intellectuals. They also examine the anthem's controversial legacy, including the Sex Pistols' parody, and address the unique challenge of England and Scotland sharing the same anthem at the World Cup.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction to national anthems
God Save the King vs The Marseillaise: Ideological context
The mysterious origins and composers of the anthem
The 1745 Jacobite Rising and the anthem's viral spread
Global adoption of the tune and British constitutionalism
Sponsors and the Sex Pistols' God Save the Queen
Why Britons sneer at their own national anthem
Scottish identity and the rejection of God Save the King
Flower of Scotland and the search for an English anthem
Jerusalem as a potential English anthem and preview
Outro: The death of Edward II
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