Skip to main content
The Collation

“What manner o’thing is your crocodile?”: August 2021

This month’s Crocodile post brings to mind the classic board game Guess Who? (19th century edition!). Does your person have a giant mustache? Yes. Are they wearing a crown? Yes… Do they look annoyed? YES!

For those of who you might struggle with this one, here’s a clue: “he is an Englishman.”

Lock in your guesses in the comments below and be sure to check back next week for the big reveal!

Comments

“What do you mean, you don’t have any burgers left?”

Vint Cerf — July 27, 2021

“No, you we don’t serve square burgers here.”

Erin Blake — July 27, 2021

Do they have any children?

Erin Blake — July 27, 2021

Poor old King Lear, it certainly cannot be King Richard 111 of Leicester’s Bosworth’s Field.

Jeremy Spencer — July 27, 2021

Yes, definitely King Lear, and not Richard III of Bosworth Field, Leicester.

Jeremy Spencer — July 27, 2021

Oooo! It just occured to me that this might be a trick question. It doesn’t specifically ask who is being portrayed, it asks asks “Who is this?” Maybe it’s an actor?

Erin Blake — July 27, 2021

Brian Blessed?

Owen Williams — July 27, 2021

Herbert Beerbohn Tree as King John, I think. There are stills from an 1899 movie of him in very similar pose. His stage production was famous as the first serious attempt to put Shakespeare into authentic historical costume.

Angela Cockburn — July 27, 2021

Here’s the painting the cartoon is based on. An additional scene added by Tree showing the unwilling signing of the Magna Carta.

https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/painting-of-herbert-beerbohm-tree-as-king-john

Angela Cockburn — July 27, 2021

King Alfred (not enjoying being told off for burning the ‘cakes’).

Heather Dalton — July 28, 2021