Britannia and the British Empire what Marianne is to France or perhaps what Columbia is to the United States. Britannia became a very potent and more common figure in times of war, and represented British liberties and democracy. During the 1990s the term "Cool Britannia" (drawn from a humorous version by the Bonzo Dog Band of the song "Rule Britannia", with words by James Thomson [1700–1748], which is often used as an unofficial national anthem), was used to describe the contemporary United Kingdom. The phrase referred to the fashionable scenes of the era, with a new generation of pop groups and
Britannia (1802 ship) Britannia (1802 ship) Britannia was a merchant vessel launched at Hull in 1802. She repelled the attack of a French privateer in a notable single-ship action in 1804, but was lost to an accidental explosion in Cork harbour in 1806. "Britannia" entered "Lloyd's Register" in 1803 with master M. Leavy, owner Fletcher, and trade Liverpool-Jamaica. Captain Matthew Leavey received a letter of marque on 2 June 1803. Single-ship action<br> "Britannia" was on her way to Jamaica from Madeira when on 1 July 1804 she encountered "Général Ernouf", which did not engage. Four days later the two again sighted each other,