Defies Collection

Waves at Porthcawl
A young boy defies the waves at Porthcawl, Glamorgan, Wales. His mother and her friend look across with some concern at another boy on the railings in the distance

First English Civil War: Siege of Lathom House, 1644
Royalist stronghold Lathom House in Lancashire defies Parlimentarian pressure and raises the royal standard. The ensuing siege lasted three months, but was eventually lifted

Bulldog and Union Jack
Now then, what about it ? Standing beside the Union Jack, a British bulldog defies the enemy, Date: 1915

Reformation in England
Title-page of a history of the Reformation in England : Henry VIII defies the pope, Edward VI prays, Mary burns Ridley, Latimer, Cranmer; Elizabeth sets all right

The Pain-Proof Man & Captain Ringman Jack - Ripley s
Arthur Plumhoff The Human Pincushion - The Pain-Proof Man (left) and Captain Ringman Jack, who lifted weights through holes through his breasts

High Tea above London
A young man defies gravity by perching on a pole on the roof of the new BBC Broadcasting House building and having a truely High Tea! Date: early 1930s

Gandhi Defies British
Seated on the Indian Elephant, whose tusks are blunted by the policy of non violence, Gandhi defies the violence of the British Lion

Germany, armed for the fight, defies her foes ! Date: 1914

NURSE DEFIES DEATH
Death has come with the intention of taking away her patient, but the nurse defies him Date: circa 1916

Taking the Census, Experiences of an Enumerator (engraving)
1603035 Taking the Census, Experiences of an Enumerator (engraving) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Taking the Census, Experiences of an Enumerator)

Scene from "Ivanhoe, "at the Royal English Opera, Rebecca defies the Templar (engraving)
1602969 Scene from " Ivanhoe, " at the Royal English Opera, Rebecca defies the Templar (engraving) by Forestier

Robert Bruce defies King Edward III (coloured engraving)
3642496 Robert Bruce defies King Edward III (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Robert Bruce defies King Edward III)

Sivaji openly defies the Great Moghul (colour litho)
2792215 Sivaji openly defies the Great Moghul (colour litho) by McCormick, Arthur David (1860-1943); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sivaji openly defies the Great Moghul)

Canning Defiant / Gillray
Phaeton alarm d George Canning defies his enemies Date: 1808

Masons and Police
When Paris magistrates led by police commissioner Jean de Lespinay seek to break up a Masonic meeting, the duc d Antin defies them, but the Lodge is eventually closed Date: 10 October 1737

Canada : Defiant French
CANADA : FRENCH RESISTANCE Le chevalier de Levis, Montcalms successor, defies the English and refuses to surrender, but eventually the French agree to British terms Date: summer 1760

Suffragette Defies the Tyrant Man. Depicts a very small suffragette carrying a VFW flag while a very tall policeman, hands behind his back, looks down at her from the pavement

Bulldog Advertisement
A bulldog defies you to buy any dog food other than Melox - by royal warrant to His Majesty the King. Date: early 20th century

Rail car transporting giant cabbages Date: 1910

Rail car transporting giant Bellflower apples Date: 1910

Carload of Mammoth Navel Oranges
A frankly ridicuolous carload of Mammoth American Navel Oranges! Date: 1909

Californian farmer with an immense watermelon Date: circa 1910

Rail car transporting a giant lemon Date: 1910

Rail car transporting a giant pear Date: 1910

Rail car transporting giant tomatoes Date: 1910

Escaping Monkey / 1932
Reluctant to participate in monkey gland rejuvenation treatment, a monkey escapes onto the roof of a hospital in Prague and defies captors for an hour Date: 1932

Prince of Abyssinia
This curious picture defies our research : possibly a son of Theodor, but the European dress is puzzling

Gorilla Hunted
A gorilla defies his/her assailants : thanks to such episodes, by the 21st century, the gorilla will be an endangered species. Date: circa 1860

Popov on Tightrope
Popov the clown of the Moscow State Circus, defies gravity by walking the tightrope during a circus visit to Cornwall, England!

Chamberlain Challenged
Quaintly anticipating events 40 years later, a Chamberlain is challenged by a Churchill - here, Randolph Churchill defies Joseph Chamberlain with busts of Cobden and Bright

Firenze Volunteers
In front of the Palazzo Vecchio at Firenze (Florence) volunteers gather to help Garibaldi in his attack on Rome which still defies the unification movement

Becket Defies Henry II
Becket defies Henry II

British Flag Cut Down
New Zealand : Maori rebel Honi Heke defies colonial rule by cutting down the British flag at Kororareka

Sivaji Deifies Aurungzeb
The Maratha leader Shivaji defies the Mogul emperor Aurugzeb at Delhi

Scotland Defies England
Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, defies King Edward III

Broadcasting House Japes
A young man defies gravity by perching on a pole on the roof of the new BBC Broadcasting House building!

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"Defying Boundaries: A Tapestry of British Resilience" From the crashing waves at Porthcawl to the proud Bulldog and Union Jack, Britain has a history of defying expectations. It began long ago during the First English Civil War, when the Siege of Lathom House in 1644 showcased unwavering determination. Even amidst religious turmoil during the Reformation in England, resilience prevailed. Intriguing tales emerged from this land - The Pain-Proof Man and Captain Ringman Jack amazed audiences with their audacious feats at Ripley's. Meanwhile, high tea above London symbolized an elegant defiance against societal norms. During times of conflict, Britain stood strong. A British Military Recruitment Poster from WW1 exemplified their indomitable spirit as they faced adversity head-on. Across continents, Mahatma Gandhi led a peaceful resistance movement that defied British rule in India. The year 1914 witnessed Germany arming itself for battle while boldly challenging its foes—a testament to their unyielding resolve. In moments of crisis, nurses fearlessly stepped forward; one such story tells how a nurse defied death itself to save lives. Even mundane tasks held stories of defiance—taking the census became an adventure for enumerators who encountered unexpected obstacles along the way. And on stage at the Royal English Opera, Rebecca defiantly confronted her oppressor in "Ivanhoe, " leaving audiences captivated by her strength. Through triumphs and trials alike, Britain has consistently shown its ability to defy expectations and overcome challenges with grace and tenacity.