Sign In

The Fascists will Invade England - Just Like the Spanish Armada.

Fantastic Italian propaganda map of the British Isles, listing the many times that invading armies have successfully landed on the archipelago and suggesting that the next such invasion will be fascist.

The map lists the many successful and unsuccessful times that the British Isles had been invaded, including the 1066 Norman landing at Hastings as well as earlier Viking invasions. Roman invasions are also listed, and a legionnaire's tent being served by a downtrodden Briton is shown near Oxford. The most emphatic feature on the map is the Spanish Armada, whose failure makes it a strange centerpiece for such a map.

The map emphasizes the fascist symbolism of the Roman empire. In the upper left, the title cartouche shows a legionnaire next to an Italian airman. This is likely a reference to the Corpo Aereo Italiano, an Italian air corps that participated in the Battle of Britain that saw limited success but was hampered by inadequate equipment.  

The map serves as an illustrative historical overview of military invasions, raids, and significant landings from antiquity to the 18th century. Each landing is marked with a concise summary, providing historical context and key details of the events. 

The map is a product of the Fascist era in Italy, reflecting an interest in military history and conquests that align with the regime's propagandistic goals. Created during World War II, this map likely served to emphasize the historical vulnerability of Great Britain to invasions and to bolster Italian nationalism by highlighting military prowess and historical connections to past European conflicts.

Summary of Historical Vignettes

1. Roman Conquests:

   • Agricola's Campaigns (77-83 CE): Under General Gnaeus Julius Agricola, Roman forces subdued parts of Britain, reaching the Orkney Islands and performing multiple landings to defeat local tribes.
   • Hadrian's Fortifications (122 CE): Emperor Hadrian’s construction of a fortification (Hadrian’s Wall) to prevent incursions by northern tribes.

2. Anglo-Saxon and Viking Raids:

   • Anglo-Saxon Invasions (547 CE): Led by Ida, the Angles invaded at the mouths of the Forth and Tweed rivers, bringing terror to the local populations.
   • Viking Landings (793-865 CE): Vikings, including Ragnar Lodbrok's sons, conducted raids on various locations such as Lindisfarne, resulting in numerous battles.

3. Medieval Conquests and Conflicts:

   • Norman Invasion (1066): William the Conqueror’s pivotal landing at Hastings with a fleet of 3000 ships, leading to the Battle of Hastings and subsequent conquest of England.
   • Wars of the Roses (1455-1487): French involvement in the conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York, with landings at various ports.

4. 16th to 18th Century Incursions:

   • Spanish Armada (1588): Despite being largely repelled, the map highlights the attempted landing of the Spanish fleet.
   • American War of Independence (1778): American forces, during the conflict, attacked the port of Belfast.

5. Miscellaneous Invasions:

   • French and Irish Landings (1797): The French landing at Killala Bay in Ireland during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, representing the last notable landing on British soil.

Detailed Summaries of Notable Landings

1. Roman Conquests:

   • Agricola's Campaigns (77-83 CE): Under General Gnaeus Julius Agricola, Roman forces subdued parts of Britain, reaching the Orkney Islands and performing multiple landings to defeat local tribes. Agricola's campaigns extended Roman control in Britain significantly and established a foothold in the northern territories.
   • Hadrian's Fortifications (122 CE): Emperor Hadrian’s construction of a fortification (Hadrian’s Wall) to prevent incursions by northern tribes. The wall marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire in Britain and was a significant engineering feat.

2. Anglo-Saxon and Viking Raids:

   • Anglo-Saxon Invasions (547 CE): Led by Ida, the Angles invaded at the mouths of the Forth and Tweed rivers, bringing terror to the local populations. This marked the beginning of significant Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain.
   • Viking Landings (793-865 CE): Vikings, including Ragnar Lodbrok's sons, conducted raids on various locations such as Lindisfarne, resulting in numerous battles. These raids were part of the larger Viking invasions that affected much of Europe during this period.

3. Medieval Conquests and Conflicts:

   • Norman Invasion (1066): William the Conqueror’s pivotal landing at Hastings with a fleet of 3000 ships, leading to the Battle of Hastings and subsequent conquest of England. This invasion fundamentally changed the course of English history, leading to Norman rule.
   • Wars of the Roses (1455-1487): French involvement in the conflict between the houses of Lancaster and York, with landings at various ports. The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic conflicts that significantly impacted English nobility and governance.

4. 16th to 18th Century Incursions:

   • Spanish Armada (1588): Despite being largely repelled, the map highlights the attempted landing of the Spanish fleet. The Spanish Armada was a significant event in European history, symbolizing the rivalry between Spain and England.
   • American War of Independence (1778): American forces, during the conflict, attacked the port of Belfast. This attack was part of the larger context of the American Revolution, which had global ramifications.

5. Miscellaneous Invasions:

   • French and Irish Landings (1797): The French landing at Killala Bay in Ireland during the Irish Rebellion of 1798, representing the last notable landing on British soil. This event marked a significant moment in Irish history and the broader struggle against British rule.