Poor Queen Caroline—Washed her hair in turpentine...
19th century nursery rhyme

Royal scandals are not new to the British.
In 1820 George IV attempted to rid himself of his adulterous wife, whose affair with the Italian Count Bartolommeo Burgami had become the talk of every European salon. Caroline’s trial in the House of Lords ended without a verdict, leaving her free to take her husband’s side as queen at his coronation in 1821. The king’s next move was to have her barred from entry into Westminster Abbey. Two weeks later she took ill and conveniently died.

The British public was outraged by the trial and many souvenir jugs and plates were transfer-printed with slogans of support for the Queen. This jug has on its back a verse parodying the National Anthem and condemning her accusers, calling them the “Green Bag Crew.” This reference alludes to the green baize bag that contained alleged evidence against her and that each day was carried into the courtroom.