Andrew Brunatti
@andrewbrunatti.bsky.social
PhD in Politics & History. Art lover. Currently researching/writing on visual portrayals of Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822).
O'Byrne's vampiric veneer for Castlereagh in his 1829 novel was actually O'Byrne (a noted Irish nationalist) making a point about what he viewed as Britain's predatory policies of imperial realpolitik, both in Ireland and abroad.
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
O'Byrne's vampiric veneer for Castlereagh in his 1829 novel was actually O'Byrne (a noted Irish nationalist) making a point about what he viewed as Britain's predatory policies of imperial realpolitik, both in Ireland and abroad.
O'Connell and Grattan's portrayals of Castlereagh as vampiric in the 1830s and 1840s were really both arguing that Britain, through the Act of Union, had betrayed Ireland's future (and particularly Irish catholics) for its own imperial power and security.
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
O'Connell and Grattan's portrayals of Castlereagh as vampiric in the 1830s and 1840s were really both arguing that Britain, through the Act of Union, had betrayed Ireland's future (and particularly Irish catholics) for its own imperial power and security.
Hone's portrayal of a vampiric Castlereagh standing over the bodies of Britons at Peterloo was actually Hone arguing that the British establishment had betrayed and then preyed on its own citizens to maintain its own power in the face of calls for reform.
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Hone's portrayal of a vampiric Castlereagh standing over the bodies of Britons at Peterloo was actually Hone arguing that the British establishment had betrayed and then preyed on its own citizens to maintain its own power in the face of calls for reform.
Later in the novel, the vampire metaphor is made explicit when the hero, Garrett, recalls that "Jocelyn had called Castlereagh a vampire, and told her husband that he [Castlereagh] was preying on his youth and honesty."
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Later in the novel, the vampire metaphor is made explicit when the hero, Garrett, recalls that "Jocelyn had called Castlereagh a vampire, and told her husband that he [Castlereagh] was preying on his youth and honesty."
The vampire metaphor continued to be applied to Castlereagh in historical fiction well into the 20th Century. In Donn Byrne's 1929 novel 'The Power of the Dog,' set during the Napoleonic wars, the heroine Jocelyne first describes Castlereagh thus:
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
The vampire metaphor continued to be applied to Castlereagh in historical fiction well into the 20th Century. In Donn Byrne's 1929 novel 'The Power of the Dog,' set during the Napoleonic wars, the heroine Jocelyne first describes Castlereagh thus:
The use of the vampire metaphor continued into the late 19thC. In 1884, M.L. O'Byrne's novel 'Ill-Won Peerages' describes Ireland in 1798 as a country where "vampires of every degree, from Castlereagh to Reynolds the informer, that had seized upon the body were voraciously sucking its life-blood"
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
The use of the vampire metaphor continued into the late 19thC. In 1884, M.L. O'Byrne's novel 'Ill-Won Peerages' describes Ireland in 1798 as a country where "vampires of every degree, from Castlereagh to Reynolds the informer, that had seized upon the body were voraciously sucking its life-blood"
Grattan Jr is mirroring O'Connell’s earlier use of the vampire metaphor by implying that Castlereagh had corrupted the body politic, just as a vampire corrupts the body of its victim.
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Grattan Jr is mirroring O'Connell’s earlier use of the vampire metaphor by implying that Castlereagh had corrupted the body politic, just as a vampire corrupts the body of its victim.
In 1846, Henry Grattan Jr., in the memoirs of his father's life at the time of the Irish Act of Union, described Castlereagh as "the political vampire who then ruled" using his "familiars" to "bribe the poor, to seduce the virtuous, and to entrap the unwary."
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
In 1846, Henry Grattan Jr., in the memoirs of his father's life at the time of the Irish Act of Union, described Castlereagh as "the political vampire who then ruled" using his "familiars" to "bribe the poor, to seduce the virtuous, and to entrap the unwary."
O'Connell's use of the term 'bloodless vampire' seems to refer to Ireland, but the metaphor is aimed squarely at Castlereagh. In O'Connell's metaphor, Castlereagh (a male figure) preyed on Ireland (portrayed as female), draining the lifeblood and leaving Ireland not fully dead but not fully alive.
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
O'Connell's use of the term 'bloodless vampire' seems to refer to Ireland, but the metaphor is aimed squarely at Castlereagh. In O'Connell's metaphor, Castlereagh (a male figure) preyed on Ireland (portrayed as female), draining the lifeblood and leaving Ireland not fully dead but not fully alive.
In an 1834 speech, Daniel O'Connell described Castlereagh's role in passing the Irish Act of Union: "Castlereagh had trampled on his country; he made her [Ireland's] living body a breathless corpse--a sort of bloodless vampire."
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
In an 1834 speech, Daniel O'Connell described Castlereagh's role in passing the Irish Act of Union: "Castlereagh had trampled on his country; he made her [Ireland's] living body a breathless corpse--a sort of bloodless vampire."
William Hone's 1820 pamphlet 'Despair, a Vision' responding to the Peterloo Massacre shows Castlereagh and Sidmouth (Home Secretary) standing in front of bodies, with the verse "The crowd dropped fast, but Derry and the Quack, [...] and they were Vampyres—they had scented well the corpses grim..."
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
William Hone's 1820 pamphlet 'Despair, a Vision' responding to the Peterloo Massacre shows Castlereagh and Sidmouth (Home Secretary) standing in front of bodies, with the verse "The crowd dropped fast, but Derry and the Quack, [...] and they were Vampyres—they had scented well the corpses grim..."
In 1820, Thomas Wooler created a satirical playbill for a play titled 'The Queen of Hearts against the King and his Knaves, in reference to the Queen Caroline Affair. Castlereagh was listed as playing 'Derry-Down Cold Blood' who was specified to be a vampire.
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
In 1820, Thomas Wooler created a satirical playbill for a play titled 'The Queen of Hearts against the King and his Knaves, in reference to the Queen Caroline Affair. Castlereagh was listed as playing 'Derry-Down Cold Blood' who was specified to be a vampire.
John William Polidori and his 1819 work ‘The Vampyre’, created the popular idea of the aristocratic vampire.
Researching portrayals of Castlereagh (both textual and visual) over the last few years, I first noticed that some 19th Century writers used a vampiric metaphor in portraying Castlereagh
Researching portrayals of Castlereagh (both textual and visual) over the last few years, I first noticed that some 19th Century writers used a vampiric metaphor in portraying Castlereagh
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
John William Polidori and his 1819 work ‘The Vampyre’, created the popular idea of the aristocratic vampire.
Researching portrayals of Castlereagh (both textual and visual) over the last few years, I first noticed that some 19th Century writers used a vampiric metaphor in portraying Castlereagh
Researching portrayals of Castlereagh (both textual and visual) over the last few years, I first noticed that some 19th Century writers used a vampiric metaphor in portraying Castlereagh
If you're familiar with Castlereagh, you're probably also familiar with Shelley/Byron's verses about him that did much to popularise the image of 'Bloody Castlereagh.'
But there's another writer from the same movement whose literary creation was also used to build a dark image of Castlereagh:
But there's another writer from the same movement whose literary creation was also used to build a dark image of Castlereagh:
October 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
If you're familiar with Castlereagh, you're probably also familiar with Shelley/Byron's verses about him that did much to popularise the image of 'Bloody Castlereagh.'
But there's another writer from the same movement whose literary creation was also used to build a dark image of Castlereagh:
But there's another writer from the same movement whose literary creation was also used to build a dark image of Castlereagh:
I'm working on a thread for later this week that links Castlereagh and the literary vampire.
No, really, I'm serious.
Is it seasonal?
Yes.
Is it the subject of full-on research article that I currently have in peer review?
Also yes.
No, really, I'm serious.
Is it seasonal?
Yes.
Is it the subject of full-on research article that I currently have in peer review?
Also yes.
October 28, 2025 at 3:31 AM
I'm working on a thread for later this week that links Castlereagh and the literary vampire.
No, really, I'm serious.
Is it seasonal?
Yes.
Is it the subject of full-on research article that I currently have in peer review?
Also yes.
No, really, I'm serious.
Is it seasonal?
Yes.
Is it the subject of full-on research article that I currently have in peer review?
Also yes.
Productive Castlereagh-related research visits to PRONI and Mount Stewart over the past week.
Now on my way home to sift through the material.
Now on my way home to sift through the material.
September 14, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Productive Castlereagh-related research visits to PRONI and Mount Stewart over the past week.
Now on my way home to sift through the material.
Now on my way home to sift through the material.
I’d been looking for a full set of the Colchester diary/correspondence and the hunt paid off this week. The set was rebound at some point, but they’re the original 1861 edition.
A great source on the day-to-day rhythm of the House of Commons in the early 19th Century.
#skystorians
A great source on the day-to-day rhythm of the House of Commons in the early 19th Century.
#skystorians
September 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I’d been looking for a full set of the Colchester diary/correspondence and the hunt paid off this week. The set was rebound at some point, but they’re the original 1861 edition.
A great source on the day-to-day rhythm of the House of Commons in the early 19th Century.
#skystorians
A great source on the day-to-day rhythm of the House of Commons in the early 19th Century.
#skystorians
Really looking forward to this read.
19th Century grand strategy? Yes please.
19th Century grand strategy? Yes please.
August 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Really looking forward to this read.
19th Century grand strategy? Yes please.
19th Century grand strategy? Yes please.
Back in October the good folks at the National Portrait Gallery let me spend some time behind the scenes in their collection, looking at important Castlereagh-related pieces for my research.
Getting some time close-up with George Hayter's painting of the trial of Queen Caroline was pretty special.
Getting some time close-up with George Hayter's painting of the trial of Queen Caroline was pretty special.
January 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Back in October the good folks at the National Portrait Gallery let me spend some time behind the scenes in their collection, looking at important Castlereagh-related pieces for my research.
Getting some time close-up with George Hayter's painting of the trial of Queen Caroline was pretty special.
Getting some time close-up with George Hayter's painting of the trial of Queen Caroline was pretty special.
Castlereagh was made a Knight of the Garter in 1814, following the Treaty of Paris.
The Londonderry garter and star are displayed on loan at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
The Londonderry garter and star are displayed on loan at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
October 15, 2024 at 10:40 PM
Castlereagh was made a Knight of the Garter in 1814, following the Treaty of Paris.
The Londonderry garter and star are displayed on loan at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
The Londonderry garter and star are displayed on loan at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
One of the stranger portrayals I’ve come across in research on Castlereagh portraiture is this engraving in William Adams’ 1862 book ‘Men at the Helm.’
The artist (Evans) portrayed Castlereagh at a moment in 1807 wearing clothing that is much more influenced by Victorian style.
The artist (Evans) portrayed Castlereagh at a moment in 1807 wearing clothing that is much more influenced by Victorian style.
September 14, 2024 at 8:23 PM
One of the stranger portrayals I’ve come across in research on Castlereagh portraiture is this engraving in William Adams’ 1862 book ‘Men at the Helm.’
The artist (Evans) portrayed Castlereagh at a moment in 1807 wearing clothing that is much more influenced by Victorian style.
The artist (Evans) portrayed Castlereagh at a moment in 1807 wearing clothing that is much more influenced by Victorian style.
Castlereagh on government, c1794, in the context of the French Revolution:
"How inconsistent is ambition - and how cruelly are men the dupes of it. We may in general conclude that the system in which a man can do a great deal of good is a bad one -
(1/3)
"How inconsistent is ambition - and how cruelly are men the dupes of it. We may in general conclude that the system in which a man can do a great deal of good is a bad one -
(1/3)
June 29, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Castlereagh on government, c1794, in the context of the French Revolution:
"How inconsistent is ambition - and how cruelly are men the dupes of it. We may in general conclude that the system in which a man can do a great deal of good is a bad one -
(1/3)
"How inconsistent is ambition - and how cruelly are men the dupes of it. We may in general conclude that the system in which a man can do a great deal of good is a bad one -
(1/3)
Nothing like finding an original engraving in its natural habitat!
I’m really enjoying the research work on Castlereagh portraiture—a fascinating mix of history, politics, and art.
I’m really enjoying the research work on Castlereagh portraiture—a fascinating mix of history, politics, and art.
January 28, 2024 at 11:14 PM
Nothing like finding an original engraving in its natural habitat!
I’m really enjoying the research work on Castlereagh portraiture—a fascinating mix of history, politics, and art.
I’m really enjoying the research work on Castlereagh portraiture—a fascinating mix of history, politics, and art.
Holiday reading: Timothy McCall’s excellent book on how men adorned themselves in Renaissance courts.
Just made sense to pair it with nice Chianti.
Just made sense to pair it with nice Chianti.
December 31, 2023 at 6:15 AM
Holiday reading: Timothy McCall’s excellent book on how men adorned themselves in Renaissance courts.
Just made sense to pair it with nice Chianti.
Just made sense to pair it with nice Chianti.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!
December 26, 2023 at 12:09 AM
Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!