Art connoisseurs have often remarked at the medieval quality of Arthur Szyk's illuminations. This quality was never more apparent than in his miniature painted history of Great Britain, where luminous colors combine with elaborate, detailed patterns.
At the top of the painting St. Edward's Crown sits above the blue garter representing the Order of the Garter, which surrounds the current British Coat of Arms. King Edward III created the Order of the Garter in 1348. The story goes that when the King picked up the blue garter worn by his dancing partner, the Countess of Salisbury, he responded to onlookers with "honi soit qui mal y pense" which, when translated from French means, "evil be to him who evil thinks." This is transcribed on the garter in the painting.
Adjoining the Coat of Arms is the lion of England and the Royal unicorn of Scotland. Ireland (harp), Scotland (single lion), England (three lions) and Wales (dragon) are also represented.
Prominent in the painting is the Tudor rose, adopted by the Tudor line in the later 15th century after the War of the Roses (white and red). The red Tudor rose with its white inset has long been a symbol of royalty in Britain. The thistle of Scotland, shamrock of Ireland, and daffodil of Wales also recur throughout the painting.
Highlighted in the center of the painting is the St. George cross against a white background...a symbol of royalty. It was worn by English soldiers in late medieval times, and is now included in the Union Jack, Great Britain's national flag. The motto "Dieu et mon droit" or "my God and my right" has served as a royal motto for centuries.
The worker and sailor represent the labor force of Britain on land and sea, which formed the basis of the economic vitality of the British empire. The modern Houses of Parliament (pictured above the sailor) and the Tower of London (above the miner) display the balance of royal and popular power which has served the British so well over the centuries.
At the bottom of the painting is St. George, the patron saint of England, slaying the dragon. It's overlaid with the insignia of the Royal Air Force, likely linking St. George's victory to that of Britain over the Nazis.
