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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Britannia
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The Roman name for the area of *Great Britain which Rome controlled, approximating to modern England and Wales. The female figure of Britannia, wearing a helmet and carrying a trident, has been on the reverse of many English coins since 1672 – in recent years on the old penny (see *currency) and then on the 50 pence piece. The original model was a mistress of Charles II (Frances Stuart, duchess of Richmond and Lennox, 1647–1702), who had appeared in this guise on medals struck for the king in 1667.
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