The Grand Old Duke of York

The King of France - Is This a Commentary on His Fighting Ability?

Unlike the majority of the other illustrations, here the rhyme is about the King of France. In the illustration, the king, in full battle regalia, a suit of armor, holds his sword up in the air in his right hand while his left hand rests on his hip. It seems obvious the men are charging forward toward the reader and diagonally to the right of the picture. In fact, that diagonal line they form gives one the impression of movement. The king, however, peers back over his shoulder going against this movement. This could suggest several things. The impression is of one posing to fight but not really actually willing to fighting. It is as if he is making sure he has not been deserted yet by men who have given him the impression they may not want to support him in this endeavor, or like a coward, to make sure he has his “big brothers” to help him. Of the soldiers who are drawn with some detail, none of them have an empty hand showing. If two hands are visible, both hold some sort of fighting accouterment. The soldiers to the immediate left and right of the king hold a sword on one hand and a shield in the other, for example. Only the king has one empty hand and he places it on his hip as if he had no idea what to do with it or as if he was fencing, which is a mock fight. Is this a commentary on his fighting ability? Is this a commentary to what he traces his fighting experience? Is this saying fencing lessons is what he brings to this war? Is this a commentary on his credibility as the leader of this army or France in general?

Analyzing the words within the context of this illustration, it seems only four thousand men accompany him, whereas in other rhymes ten thousand are mentioned. Is that why his so apprehensive? If one studies the second line of this extremely short rhyme, it seems to comment on the fact that all this king can do, and his men following his lead, is draw the swords up again and again, but not accomplish much of anything else with them. If one looks at the soldiers to the right, it seems they are so eager to go into battle, they are trampling over each other, even elbowing each other out of the way with a wild “let me at ‘em” fierceness. In fact, they appear to be in a football defensive linemen type of pose with their heads low to their chests ready to charge forward. It seems the king of France, on the other hand, not only does not want to confront the situation that is ahead by looking away, but also wishes he could run away from the situation all together.

One would imagine this illustrates the feelings among his soldiers or army leaders, perhaps even having originated with them. The audience for this rhyme might be disgruntled members of the French king’s court, but not children. This is clearly a political commentary and a view of war not to be seen by children.