Judge — November 12, 1887 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon references Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn, using it as historical allegory for a contemporary political dispute. The engraving shows a Cardinal (identifiable by his regalia) expressing dismay at the union, with courtiers and attendants surrounding him in an ornate Tudor-era setting. The caption attributes a Shakespeare quote to the Cardinal, suggesting betrayal—he served his "King" but lost standing among his "enemies." The satire likely critiques a specific 19th-century political figure or faction whose loyalty to a leader resulted in public disgrace or loss of power. The historical parallel to Cardinal Wolsey's fall from favor under Henry VIII strengthens the analogy. Without the publication date and additional context, the exact contemporary reference remains unclear, but the cartoon uses Tudor history to mock present-day political miscalculation.