Johnny Bravo
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"Perfidious Albion" is a historical and pejorative phrase used in international relations to accuse the United Kingdom (or England) of diplomatic duplicity, treachery, and breaking treaties for selfish gain. Coined by French playwright Augustin Louis de Ximénès in 1793, "Albion" is the ancient, poetic name for Great Britain.[1, 2, 3, 4]
Throughout history, the term has been leveraged by various nations—including France, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal—to characterize British foreign policy as calculating: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Throughout history, the term has been leveraged by various nations—including France, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal—to characterize British foreign policy as calculating: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- The Treaty of Limerick (1691): Irish Catholics used the phrase when English forces reneged on treaty promises that guaranteed freedom of religion and property rights, subsequently introducing the Penal Laws. [1, 2]
- French Revolutionary Wars: The phrase was popularized during the 1790s when Britain joined monarchist coalitions against the new French Republic, despite earlier diplomatic dealings. [1, 2]
- Modern Disputes: The insult has also been invoked more recently in debates over the EU-UK Brexit negotiations and the Northern Ireland Protocol, as well as historical tensions in the Middle East. [1, 2]
