Beefeaters and British history since 1826

What is it about?

The Beefeaters became a symbol of British national identity in the nineteenth century. The image was spread globally by culture, social occoasions such as fancy dress balls, and advertising, including by Beefeater gin. But the history of teh Beefeaters was connected very much to English history and so the symbolism appealed most to those, across the Empire, of English ethnicity.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Englishness and Britishness were historically constructed. Exploring the history of the Beefeaters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provides a way of understanding such national identities.