England in 1819 Summary

“England in 1819” by Percy Bysshe Shelley was written in 1819 but was not published until much later, after Shelley’s death. The poem first appeared posthumously in 1839 as part of the collection titled Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, edited by his widow, Mary Shelley. Due to its politically charged content and direct criticism of the monarchy and government, it was considered too controversial to publish during Shelley’s lifetime.

“England in 1819” by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a sonnet that vividly captures the bleak political and social landscape of England during the early 19th century. Written in response to the corruption and turmoil of his time, the poem opens with a scathing portrayal of King George III, who is described as “old, mad, blind, despised, and dying.” This sets the tone for the poem, emphasizing the decay of leadership and the desperation of the nation. Shelley further condemns the “princes” as incompetent and detached, calling them the “dregs of their dull race” who generate only public scorn.

The poem criticizes the rulers for being parasitic and disconnected from the struggles of their people, comparing them to leeches clinging to a fainting country. The people of England, meanwhile, are “starved and stabbed”—they are suffering, neglected, and oppressed. Shelley also directs his anger at the military, which he describes as being used not for protection or justice, but as a tool of tyranny that serves those in power.

Shelley extends his critique to religion and law, portraying them as equally corrupt. He describes religion as “Christless” and “Godless”—an institution that has lost its moral essence, and the legal system as filled with “golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay.” The English government, represented by a stagnant and outdated “senate,” embodies a decaying system that fails to enact positive change.

Despite the grim tone of most of the poem, Shelley concludes with a glimmer of hope. He speaks of a “glorious Phantom” that may one day rise from the “graves” of these decayed institutions to bring illumination and positive transformation to a “tempestuous” England. This ending suggests Shelley’s belief in the possibility of future reform and renewal.

Historical Context

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “England in 1819” was written during one of the most turbulent periods in British history. The early 19th century was marked by political, social, and economic instability, which played a significant role in shaping Shelley’s radical and revolutionary perspective in the poem. To fully appreciate the historical context of “England in 1819”, it is essential to explore the key events and conditions of the time, including the failing monarchy, government corruption, social unrest, and the influence of the Romantic movement on Shelley’s writing.

The Monarchy and Political Leadership

The poem was written during the reign of King George III, who by 1819 was both physically and mentally incapacitated. King George III had suffered from recurrent bouts of mental illness throughout his reign, and by 1811, he had become permanently incapacitated, leading to his son, the Prince Regent (later George IV), assuming control as regent. By 1819, King George III was seen as a figurehead of an ineffective and decaying monarchy, a sentiment strongly reflected in Shelley’s portrayal of him as “old, mad, blind, despised, and dying.”

King George III’s reign had been fraught with political challenges, including the loss of the American colonies in the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), ongoing wars with Napoleonic France, and internal strife related to economic hardship and political reform movements. The monarchy had become deeply unpopular, particularly among reformist thinkers like Shelley, who viewed it as out of touch and incompetent.

The Prince Regent and Government Corruption

During the regency of George IV (1811-1820), England’s political system became notorious for its corruption and decadence. The Prince Regent, known for his extravagant lifestyle and disconnection from the struggles of ordinary people, became a symbol of the ineffective and morally bankrupt ruling class. Shelley’s reference to the “princes, the dregs of their dull race” reflects this view, emphasizing the disdain with which the ruling elite were regarded by many reformers and common people.

In addition to the monarchy’s ineptitude, Parliament was dominated by the aristocracy and the landed gentry, which meant that the voices of the working and middle classes were largely ignored. Political reformers were increasingly frustrated with the government’s refusal to implement meaningful changes, such as expanding suffrage and addressing economic inequality. The refusal to grant more representation to the industrial towns in the north and Midlands led to growing demands for reform, which would culminate in significant political movements in the coming decades.

The Peterloo Massacre (1819)

One of the most direct influences on “England in 1819” was the Peterloo Massacre, which occurred on August 16, 1819, just months before Shelley wrote the poem. The massacre took place in St. Peter’s Field, Manchester, where a large crowd of around 60,000 people had gathered peacefully to demand parliamentary reform, specifically the extension of the right to vote and fairer political representation. The demonstration, which was intended to be peaceful, was violently suppressed by government forces, resulting in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to hundreds more.

The Peterloo Massacre shocked the nation and became a turning point in the struggle for political reform. It exposed the government’s willingness to use military force against its own citizens and highlighted the stark divide between the ruling elite and the working class. For reformers like Shelley, it was evidence of the government’s cruelty and the urgent need for change. In “England in 1819”, Shelley references the oppressive use of the military in the lines: “An army, whom liberticide and prey / Makes as a two-edged sword to all who wield.” This metaphorical description conveys the idea that the military, rather than serving as a protective force, had become a tool of tyranny, harming both the people and those who wielded it.

Economic Hardship and Social Unrest

The period following the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) was marked by severe economic difficulties in Britain. The country was left in massive debt due to the prolonged wars, and the government’s response to the economic crisis was often unsympathetic to the plight of the working classes. High taxes, rising unemployment, and a sharp increase in food prices due to poor harvests in 1816 and 1817 led to widespread poverty and hunger. The “people starved and stabbed in th’ untilled field” that Shelley describes in the poem reflects the dire situation faced by many English citizens, particularly the rural poor.

Industrialization was also rapidly transforming British society. While it brought immense wealth and technological advancements, it also led to the exploitation of workers, especially in the growing urban centers. The conditions for workers in factories were harsh, with long hours, low wages, and dangerous working environments. The government, dominated by the aristocracy, did little to address these inequalities, further fueling the demands for reform.

Religious and Institutional Criticism

Shelley’s critique extends beyond the political and social structures to include religion and the Church of England, which he saw as complicit in maintaining the status quo. In the poem, he describes religion as “Christless, Godless—a book sealed,” suggesting that the Church had become a hollow institution, failing to provide moral guidance or address the needs of the people. For Shelley, religion had lost its spiritual essence, becoming a tool of control rather than a source of solace and enlightenment.

The legal system is also targeted in Shelley’s critique. The “golden and sanguine laws which tempt and slay” refer to the legal system’s tendency to favor the wealthy and powerful while oppressing the poor and vulnerable. The legal and governmental structures in England, much like the monarchy, were seen by Shelley as outdated and corrupt, in desperate need of reform.

Romanticism and Shelley’s Revolutionary Spirit

Shelley was a central figure in the Romantic movement, which emphasized individualism, emotion, and the power of nature. Romanticism often involved a critique of industrialization, materialism, and the alienation caused by modern society. Romantics like Shelley also championed the idea of revolution and the potential for human beings to transcend their current circumstances and achieve a better society.

In “England in 1819”, Shelley’s revolutionary spirit is clearly evident. While the poem presents a scathing critique of England’s political and social structures, it ends with a glimmer of hope: “a glorious Phantom may / Burst, to illumine our tempestuous day.” This “glorious Phantom” represents the possibility of revolutionary change, a rebirth of society from the “graves” of decayed institutions. Shelley believed that even in the darkest times, there was potential for renewal and transformation, a common theme in Romantic literature.

Censorship and Posthumous Publication

Due to the politically charged nature of “England in 1819”, the poem was not published during Shelley’s lifetime. Its direct attack on the monarchy, government, military, religion, and legal system would have made it highly controversial and potentially dangerous to publish. In fact, much of Shelley’s more radical political writing was either self-censored or circulated privately to avoid prosecution. The poem was only published posthumously in 1839, in The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, edited by his widow, Mary Shelley.

Conclusion

The historical context of “England in 1819” is one of deep political, social, and economic turmoil in Britain. The monarchy was in decline, the government was corrupt and unresponsive to the needs of the people, and the military and legal systems were being used to maintain the power of the ruling elite. The Peterloo Massacre of 1819 was a key event that influenced Shelley’s passionate call for reform and revolution. Shelley’s revolutionary ideals, shaped by Romanticism, led him to envision a future in which the decayed institutions of his time could be replaced by a new, just society.