Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYK0BJZF3yNb2fw1EdAXUQ/join How did the Napoleonic Wars contribute to the enshrinement of the British national anthem? What are the Jacobite origins of this legendary melody? And, which British monarch was it written for? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the creation of Britain’s legendary national anthem, God Save the King, and its mysterious composer. Our whole playlist of episodes on national anthems can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEbAHi3fZpuGnGEZLkDJVCcz_1TbATUGI Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Social channels: https://www.instagram.com/theresthistory/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theresthistory https://x.com/TheRestHistory https://bsky.app/profile/theresthistory.bsky.social https://www.threads.com/@theresthistory Lloyds. 250 years on and still backing the nation's aspirations. Father’s Day discounted gift memberships available here. Treat your dad to ad-free listening, early access to full series, bonus episodes, and much more. 00:00 The secret origins of *God Save the King* 01:11 Lloyds 03:10 Why Britain’s national anthem matters 09:00 God, monarchy and the Napoleonic Wars 12:03 Who actually wrote *God Save the King*? 17:35 Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rising 22:38 The anthem’s dramatic debut at Drury Lane 27:41 The song’s secret Jacobite past 32:44 How Britain exported its anthem around the world 34:44 The Times and The Sunday Times 35:52 The Rest Is History Club 37:47 The Sex Pistols and *God Save the Queen* 42:43 Why Britons sneer at their national anthem 46:01 The World Cup anthem problem 48:50 Why Scotland does not sing God Save the King 55:02 How Flower of Scotland became Scotland’s anthem 58:10 Why England still uses Britain’s anthem 01:00:12 Should England adopt Jerusalem instead? 01:03:07 Next time: Germany’s national anthem Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude Senior Producer: Callum Hill Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Head of Digital & Social: Sam Oakley