#britania

Long before Islam became widely known in Britain, a successful Victorian lawyer from Liverpool embarked on a journey that would change not only his own life, but also the history of Islam in the United Kingdom.

His name was William Henry Quilliam.

Born into a wealthy Methodist family, Quilliam was a respected defense lawyer with a promising future. Like many people, he had little connection to Islam and never imagined that one day he would become one of its most prominent advocates in Britain.

Everything changed in 1887 during a visit to Morocco.

While traveling by ferry through rough seas and a violent storm, Quilliam witnessed something that left a profound impression on him. Despite the danger surrounding them, Muslim passengers calmly turned to God in prayer, displaying remarkable faith, serenity, and trust in their Creator.

The experience sparked a deep curiosity.

He began studying Islam seriously.

The more he learned, the more convinced he became that it was the truth.

At the age of 31, he embraced Islam in Tangier and took the name Abdullah Quilliam.

But his story did not end there.

Returning to Liverpool, he established the Liverpool Muslim Institute, which included what is widely regarded as the first officially recorded mosque in England, along with a school, orphanage, library, and printing press.

Through his writings, lectures, and outreach efforts, Quilliam helped introduce Islam to British society and reportedly inspired around 600 people to embrace the faith, including professionals, community leaders, and members of the aristocracy.

His dedication attracted international attention.

In 1894, the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II officially appointed him Sheikh-ul-Islam of the British Isles, recognizing his efforts in serving Islam and the Muslim community in Britain.

Although later legal controversies forced him to leave Liverpool in 1908, Quilliam never abandoned his commitment to Islam. He continued supporting Islamic causes and missionary work until he died in 1932.

His story reminds us that guidance can reach anyone.

A lawyer from Victorian England.

A man raised in a Christian household.

A respected member of British society.

Yet when he sincerely searched for truth, he followed it wherever it led.

More than a century later, his legacy continues to inspire Muslims across Britain and beyond.

Guidance belongs to Allah alone. He guides whom He wills to the Straight Path.

Alhamdulillah!

So, I have this Hetalia OC (yes, that… “rancid” fandom of countries) who is basically an interpretation of Britannia/Wales—I treat them almost as the same, though with some small distinctions. I’m not going to go into all my delusions about that here and now.

Anyway, this OC, named Awen, has lore closely and stubbornly tied to Arthurian legend, and I’ve been developing them both from the myth and the history of the nation. In short, Awen had a romantic and deeply loving relationship with Arthur, being essentially his wife and later his widow.

I’m not very keen on exposing my OC to the English-speaking fandom because of the language barrier, but I finally have this commission in my hands and wanted to show it off, because it excites me so much. Awen’s story is something I’ve been working on for many years (though I have no intention of publishing it).

Anyway, this is a scene from their wedding as Arthur and Awen, not the pre-ceremonial “King–Nation” ritual. With creative (let’s be honest, fanfic) and historical liberties… it’s supposed to be celebrated during Calan Mai, and the ceremony is a Handfasting.

It gives me so many chills and fills me with tenderness. I truly love this ship, and writing/creating their story has brought me so much joy.

The art, as always, is by my friend May. I’ll leave her Tumblr here in case anyone wants to commission her. She’s very professional and an amazing person.

Thank you, May, for bringing my little vision of this very important scene in my lore to life!

©️ Oc: Awen Cadwaladr by me, Leaf.

©️ Art By:

Apotheosis of the Royal Family

Artist: British (English) School

Date: 19th century

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: Royal Trust Collections, London, United Kingdom

Description

The figure of Britannia mourns at an inscribed tomb. On either side of which is a grieving lion and unicorn; in the sky the Apotheosis; in the background Windsor Castle.

In the lower portion of the painting: the figure of Britannia, dressed in a white chemise, and a blue cloak edged with red, her head in her arms, lies mourning over a stone tomb which has a drape on the top, which partially obscures the inscription carved on it; her trident and oval shield, painted with the union-jack, lies propped in front; the head of a grieving unicorn emerges from the back of the right side of the tomb, eyes closed, and a lion’s head from the back of the tomb on the left; in the background at the right is Windsor Castle seen in silhouette against the sky; at the top of the picture, in the cloudy heavens, are three angels playing harps, one on the left and two on the right, they look down on two groups of figures rising to the heavens, on the right hand is George III wearing an ermine cloak and holding in his arms two very young children wearing flowing robes, Prince Octavius and Prince Alfred; behind him to the right are the Dukes of York and Kent. In the left-hand group (reading clockwise from the top are) are Princess Amelia, Queen Charlotte, the still-born child of Princess Charlotte, Princess Charlotte who holds her child up to the King, Caroline of Brunswick and finally Charlotte Princess Royal. With the exception of the King and Queen, who are crowned, each figure has a star above its head.

The point of this very feeble painting is presumably to symbolise the lack of an heir to George IV [this is dubious – there were four of his brothers still alive, and Princess Victoria; the death of Princess Charlotte was too long in the past, and George IV seems peripheral to the scene] By 1829 all the figures depicted had died.

Depicted Subjects:

King George III (1738–1820) 

Queen Charlotte (of Mecklenburg-Strelitz) (1744-1818) 

Queen Caroline (1768 - 1821)

Prince Octavius (1779 – 1783) 

Prince Alfred (1780 - 1782) 

Prince Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827)

Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent (1767–1820) 

Princess Amelia (1783 - 1810) 

I was today years old when I learned that the Roman’s had literal key rings!  Most of the examples I can find are 2-3 century AD. The keys would have been too small for doors, but would have been perfect for small chests! Photo is from the Museum of London.