Peter G. Nathan

“God save the Queen” is an instantly recognisable phrase of patriotic sentiment in the British Commonwealth. It expresses hope for the monarch’s long reign and respect for her preeminent place in national life; indeed, it is found on all formal proclamations coming from the Crown. It also looks to God to come to the country’s aid in time of need. In the mid-eighteenth century, during the reign of George II and the troubling period of the Jacobite rebellion, the anthem “God Save the King” was first sung, later becoming the national anthem of the UK.

 The British Museum in London has recently ended a marvelous exhibition. But why did it conspicuously ignore one of its greatest resources?

On October 25, 2018, Lord Peter Hain rose to his feet to address those assembled in the House of Lords, the United Kingdom’s upper house of Parliament. His speech lasted all of 37 seconds, but created a blast that would not have been exceeded had he detonated a nuclear device. Rather controversially, he had taken upon himself the responsibility of exposing what he saw as an intolerable “modern-day” injustice.