Britannia

views updated

Britannia the personification of Britain, usually depicted as a helmeted woman with shield and trident. The figure had appeared on Roman coins and was revived with the name Britannia on the coinage of Charles II (the first model being Charles's favourite Frances Stuart (1647–1702), later Duchess of Richmond).

In the 20th century, Britannia was the name of the British royal yacht, launched in 1953 and taken out of service in 1997.


More From encyclopedia.com