Meaning & Analysis
This is a specific political rhyme from 15th-century England, not a general proverb. It literally means that three of King Richard III's key councillors—William Catesby (Cat), Richard Ratcliffe (rat), and Francis Lovell (dog)—are the true rulers of England, operating under the authority of the King, who is symbolized by his emblem, the hog or white boar.
Insights
Cronyism and Corruption
The rhyme serves as a metaphor for a corrupt state where power is concentrated in the hands of a few favored cronies who operate 'under' the authority of a leader, suggesting manipulation and a government run by a self-serving inner circle.
Satirical Dehumanization
By reducing the rulers to animals, the rhyme satirizes and dehumanizes them, stripping them of their noble status and portraying them as acting on base instincts rather than for the good of the kingdom.
Voice of Popular Discontent
The proverb symbolizes the power of popular discontent and subversive speech. It represents a hidden transcript of resistance, where ordinary people use coded language and satire to critique a regime they fear.
Historical Symbolism
The proverb is a powerful piece of historical evidence from the Wars of the Roses, directly referencing King Richard III's personal emblem of a white boar ('the hog') and puns on the names of his key councillors: Sir William Catesby ('the Cat'), Sir Richard Ratcliffe ('the rat'), and Francis, Viscount Lovell, whose family crest featured a dog.
Political Dissent and Satire
This rhyme is a famous example of a 'pasquinade' or political lampoon. Its author, William Collingbourne, was reportedly executed for it, which underscores the extreme danger of political dissent and the power of satire to threaten an authoritarian regime.
Psychological Dehumanization
The use of animal imagery dehumanizes the ruling figures, portraying them as a cabal of base creatures. This taps into a deep-seated psychological contempt for perceived corruption and cronyism, framing the political elite as predatory, verminous, and brutish.
Rhetorical Devices
Allegory
The entire phrase is an elaborate political allegory where each animal directly and famously corresponds to a specific historical figure in Richard III's court.
Wordplay and Puns
The effectiveness of the rhyme relies on clever puns, using 'Cat' for Catesby and 'Rat' for Ratcliffe to make the political critique both memorable and witty.
Animal Symbolism
The rhyme employs animal symbolism to attribute negative characteristics to the ruling class—cunning (cat), filth (rat), and brutishness (hog)—thereby shaping public perception.
Transcription
Quotations
(our dogge, Ruleth all). *The which was ment, that Catisby, Ratclyffe, and the lorde Louell, ruled the lande vnder the kynge [Richard III], which bare the whyte bore for his conysauance.
[Richard III executed] a poore gentleman called Callingborne, for making a small rime of three of his .. Councellors .. lord Louell, sir Richard Ratcliffe.. and sir William Catesbie .. The Cat, the Rat, and Louell our dog, Rule all England vnder an hog. Meaning by the hog, the.. wild boare, which was the king cognisance.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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