Asterix in Britain
French Title:	Asterix Chez les Bretons
Story:	Rene Goscinny
Illustrations:	Albert Uderzo
French Edition:	1966
English Translation:	1970
Preceded by:	Asterix and the Big Fight
Followed by:	Asterix and the Normans

Asterix in Britain is a comic book, the eighth in the Asterix comic book series. The original in French was called Astérix chez les Bretons and published in Pilote issues 307-334 in 1965 (published in album form in 1966). Image File history File links 08-00_Britain. ... René Goscinny René Goscinny (b. ... Albert Uderzo Albert Uderzo (born April 25, 1927 in France) is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Asterix and the Big Fight is a French comic book, the seventh in the Asterix series. ... Asterix and the Normans is the ninth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Asterix the Gaul This article is about the comic book series. ... This is a list of all 33 Asterix official volumes. ... Cover for Pilote by Robert Crumb. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ...

Much of the humour in the original French version rests on errors commonly made by British people in attempting to speak the French language, literally translating English proverbs, and using English grammar combined with French words e.g., in French, adjectives are usually placed after the noun. In the English version, the translators adopt a humorous stereotypical British upper class style of speech to distinguish their language from that spoken by Asterix and Obelix. French (français, langue française) is one of the most important Romance languages, outnumbered in speakers only by Spanish and Portuguese. ... The English are an ethnic group and nation primarily associated with England and the English language. ... For the music piece by Steve Reich see Proverb (Reich) Look up proverb in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

Style and content

By this volume, the artwork for Asterix books had become well established and standardised along with the plot and character conventions. The colouring and production are of a higher quality than earlier volumes but not quite with the polish and gloss of later ones such as Asterix in Switzerland. Asterix in Switzerland is the sixteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ...

The authors worried that, as had occurred with some of their other books set outside of Gaul, they might receive complaints from British readers about the portrayal of their country. The following message was included in the original English release:

"As usual, we caricature what we are fond of, and we are fond of the British, in spite of their strange way of putting Nelson on top of their columns instead of Napoleon. However, when it comes to presenting this skit on the British to the British, we feel we owe them a word or two of explanation. Our little cartoon stories do not make fun of the real thing, but the ideas of the real thing that people get into their heads, i.e., clichés.

We Gauls imagine the British talking in a very refined way, drinking tea at five o'clock and warm beer at the peculiar hours of opening time. The British eat their food boiled, with mint sauce; they are brave, phlegmatic, and always keep a stiff upper lip. Suppose we were British, caricaturing the Gauls, we would say they all wore berets, ate frogs and snails and drank red wine for breakfast. We might add that they all have hopelessly relaxed upper lips, and that phlegm is not their outstanding characteristic. And most of all, we should hope that the Gauls would have as good a sense of humour as the British."

They reported that they received no complaints regarding the book.

The book is considered to be one of their best. Its interweaving of panels and text in the Tower of London sequence is ingenious while the plot thread that holds the book together — the search for the barrel of magic potion — is among their most sustained gags. The sight of Roman legionaries getting drunk off Gaulish wine in the cellar of the Roman Governor's Palace is one of the more memorable episodes in the Asterix series. The Tower of London, seen from the River Thames, with a view of the water gate called Traitors Gate. ...

Plot summary

Julius Caesar has invaded Britain and succeeded, mainly because the British soldiers under Cassivelaunos stop fighting every day to drink hot water (with a drop of milk), and refuse to fight over the weekend. As with Gaul, a single village remains independent, defying the Romans. One member of the village, Anticlimax, is dispatched to Gaul to enlist the help of Getafix the druid in providing magic potion for the British rebels. It is decided that Asterix and Obelix should accompany him back to his village to help transport a whole barrel full of the potion. Gaius Julius Caesar[1] (Latin pronunciation ; English pronunciation ; July 12 or July 13, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC), often simply referred to as Julius Caesar, was a Roman military and political leader and one of the most influential men in world history. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Cassivelaunus was a historical British chieftain who led the defence against Julius Caesars second expedition to Britain in 54 BC. He also appears in British legend as one of Geoffrey of Monmouths kings of Britain, and in the Mabinogion and Welsh Triads as Caswallawn, Caswallon or Kaswallawn, son... Map of Gaul circa 58 BC Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... Area under Roman control  Roman Republic  Roman Empire  Western Empire  Eastern Empire Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a city-state founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... Mural painting in Brussels, Belgium, showing characters from the Asterix comics. ... Obelix Obelix (originally Obélix) is a character, a sidekick with superhuman strength in the Asterix comic books. ...

In Britain, the barrel of potion is confiscated from a pub cellar along with all the "warm beer" (bitter) by the Romans, who set about tasting all the barrels to find the right one. Asterix and Obelix steal back all the barrels but Obelix gets drunk and starts a fight. During the fracas, a thief steals the cart with all the barrels. After a brief stay in the Tower of London the three heroes hunt down the potion, which is being used as a pick-me-up for a Rugby team. Eventually the potion is lost in the Thames after an attack from a Roman catapult. An amusingly named pub (the Old New Inn) at Bourton-on-the-Water, in the Cotswold Hills of South West England A pub in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh, Scotland A public house, usually known as a pub, is a drinking establishment found mainly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada... Bitter is a British term for a type of beer or pale ale. ... A BCRFC match at Boston College Rugby football, often just referred to as rugby, refers to sports descended from a common form of football developed at Rugby School in England. ... Several places exist with the name Thames, and the word is also used as part of several brand and company names Most famous is the River Thames in England, on which the city of London stands Other Thames Rivers There is a Thames River in Canada There is a Thames... Replica catapult at Château des Baux, France A catapult is a siege engine which uses an arm to hurl a projectile a great distance. ...

Finally reaching the independent village, Asterix eases the Britons' disappointment by claiming he carries herbs to remake the potion; these are later revealed to be tea. With a psychological boost, the village prevails against the Romans. Asterix and Obelix return home to the inevitable feast. The Britons like the tea so much, they proclaim it shall be their national drink. Tea leaves in a Chinese gaiwan. ...

Film adaptation

The book was adapted into a film of the same name, which was released in 1986. The adaptation is mostly faithful to the book (the main difference being that Dogmatix doesn't stay back in Gaul), and is considered by many to be the best of the Asterix films. Asterix in Britain was an animated film released in 1986; the fifth Asterix feature film, and the last from Dargaud Films. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dogmatix is a fictional character, a tiny dog who belongs to Obelix in the Asterix comics. ...

Trivia

• In French, Obelix remarks on the tweed worn by Asterix's Briton cousin, asking, "Is it expensive?" ("c'est cher?"); the Briton replies, "My tailor is rich" ("mon tailleur est riche") — an allusion to basic lessons in English, available in many European states. It has been said that "My tailor is rich" was the very first spoken phrase said in the first Assimil "English without Pain" (Anglais sans Peine) English learning vinyl record volume released circa 1960.

• Later there's another gag with the same basic premise in reverse: when Asterix remarks that his cousin's boat is small, Anticlimax replies obscurely, "It's smaller than the garden of my uncle, but larger than the pen of my aunt," a phrase used in English texts of the period when teaching French.

• The famous cliché of England's terrible reputation for cooking is referenced several times. (See British cuisine).

• In the French version, Anticlimax speaks French but with literally translated English expressions as "I beg your pardon," "Isn't it?" and "I say!" In addition, the grammar is changed to resemble English language. For instance, "potion magique" becomes "magique potion" (magic potion).

• Rugby, the weekend, toast, umbrellas, double-decker buses, rain, fog, and, of course, pubs are referenced.

• Asterix asks Anticlimax if he isn't driving on the wrong side of the road? Anticlimax then accuses Asterix of the same thing. People drive on the left side of the road Great Britain whereas in other European countries, people drive on the right.

• Typical British gardens are also mocked.

• Anticlimax says to Obelix that they "measure in feet".

• Anticlimax is from Cambridge "who are known to be excellent rowers," according to the text. This is a reference to the rowing games held between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

• Obelix remarks that a tunnel between Gaul and Britannia would be useful. Anticlimax says they are working on the idea, "but it will take some time." This is a reference to the Chunnel, which wasn't built yet in 1966 when the comic was made. The plan to build a tunnel between England and France was however a popular idea for centuries, but due to wars and other conflicts the project did not come to fruition until 1994. Therefore the idea that there would ever be a tunnel between both countries seemed very unlikely at the time.

• The very popular group of bards are caricatures of The Beatles.

• The place where Obelix and Dipsomaniax are imprisoned is a parody of the Tower of London.

• References to the Five Tribes tournament are to the 5 Nations Rugby tournament (held between France, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland—plus Italy since 2000). In the British edition however they refer to the "tribal crown" instead - if any of the teams from within the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland) defeats the other three it is said to win the "triple crown."

• At the end of the book, when the Romans are beaten in battle, Anticlimax exclaims; "Victory," while making the V sign, a reference to Winston Churchill.

• Throughout the comic book, the stereotypical British equanimity is satirized several times.

• The British habit of drinking tea is referenced in the comic, although they drink hot water with a little milk until Asterix introduces tea. This is assumed to happen after the book ends as it is something that Asterix promises to send them later, and, which the Druid says is called "Tea."

Assimil is a French company, founded by Alphonse Chérel in 1929. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... British cuisine is shaped by the countrys temperate climate, its island geography and its history. ... A BCRFC match at Boston College Rugby football, often just referred to as rugby, refers to sports descended from a common form of football developed at Rugby School in England. ... The weekend is a part of the week lasting one or two days in which most paid workers do not work. ... Two slices of toasted white bread. ... Umbrella An umbrella is a device used for temporary shade or shelter from precipitation. ... A London AEC Routemaster, RML 2473 (JJD 473D), on route 7 approaching Ladbroke Grove tube station in April 2002. ... For the singer, see Rain (singer). ... Evening fog obscures Londons Tower Bridge from passers by. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A coxless pair which is a sweep-oar boat. ... Oxford is a city and local government district in Oxfordshire, England, with a population of 134,248 (2001 census). ... Shown within Cambridgeshire Geography Status: City (1951) Region: East of England Admin. ... Map of Gaul circa 58 BC Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... Britannia on a 2005 £2 coin. ... Chunnel in cross section The Channel Tunnel, (French: le tunnel sous la Manche; often nicknamed the Chunnel in English) is a rail tunnel beneath the English Channel at the Straits of Dover, connecting Cheriton in Kent, England and Sangatte in northern France. ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... A bard is a poet or singer, in religious or feudal contexts. ... The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. ... The Tower of London, seen from the River Thames, with a view of the water gate called Traitors Gate. ... Six Nations teams The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons), known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides; England, France (since 1910), Ireland, Italy (since 2000), Scotland and Wales. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - UK Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I 843  Area    - Total 78,772 km... This article is about the country. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland (also known as the Home Nations) as part of the Six Nations Championship. ... The V sign is a hand gesture in which the first and second fingers are raised and parted, whilst the remaining fingers are clenched. ... Churchill redirects here. ... Upeksa, also upekkha in Pali, is the Buddhist concept of equanimity. ... Tea leaves in a Chinese gaiwan. ... A glass of cows milk A goat kid feeding on its mothers milk Milk is the nutrient fluid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals (including monotremes). ...

In other languages

• Italian: Asterix e i Britanni
• Croatian: Asterix u Britaniji
• Dutch: Asterix bij de Britten, formerly Asterix en de Britten
• German: Asterix bei den Briten
• Portuguese: Asterix e os Bretões
• Spanish: Astérix en Bretaña
• Swedish: Asterix och Britterna