Britannia Place

Britannia Place and Birtannia Sidings off the Embankment at Prince Rock are among several examples of the Roman name for Britain being commemorated around Plymouth.

There are also two Plymouth pubs caled Birtannia, but there the name is more likely to have a direct naval link. There have been several HMS Britannias down the years (since 1682) and one of the three largest ships at the battle of Trafalgar bore that name.

One name we don't always think of when we talk of Britannia is that of the woman who appears to have been the first to pose for that classic image - Frances Stewart. She was the mistress of Charles II and later became the Duchess of Richmond. A medal was struck in 1665 bearin the symbolic figure, although earlier Roman coins had shown a figure resting on her familiar shield."

EH 6 February 2001