Icons of England

[wessexgirl]

I didn't know it was a crowd favourite. I heard it was the sort of thing people liked at their weddings hence the hat wearing.

I think it has been appropriated as the essence of Englishness, (W.I anyone?), but I think many of those singing it aren't aware that Blake was not being complimentary but critical of our burgeoning industrial society. Aah, that's us Brits for you, show us a stick, and we'll get the wrong end of it .

Seriously though, without being jingoistic, a trait I hate, we seem to be able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and beat the odds time and again. I suppose because of watching the Dunkirk commemorations, that came to my mind. It was an astounding defeat, but the courageousness of all those involved, with the mass evacuation and rescue of 1000s of men by all those little ships and fisherman, sailors, etc. many of whom were not in the military, was just astonishing. Crecy, Agincourt, and the Battle of Britain were all massive victories against the odds too. Perhaps it's something in our nature, stubborness, or blind stupidity, but there you go. I remember my old History teacher, who was American incidentally, so perhaps saw something in us that we didn't see ourselves, saying that what Churchill asked of the British people, and got, was something that Hitler could never ask of the German people during the war, even though he was a dictator. Perhaps it was because he was just that though, I don't know, I'm waffling. I suppose I'm just saying that I think the British character, with the old stereotype of the "plucky little Brit", maybe has some truth in it and should be there.

I can't believe that Shakespeare isn't on there, one of the many omissions, and one of the first things/people I would think most of the rest of the world see as quintessentially English. I would go with a cup of tea though, as it's certainly the first thing I always reach for, along with pretty much everyone I know. It's ingrained in me to put the kettle on as often as I can, from morning to night, and I think there would be a mutiny if my tea-dinking privileges were taken away from me at work .

[dafydd manton]

henry the which???
only one I know anythig about is henry viii oh and the third if you count looking him up 3 days ago.
William the conqurer did not start it all what about Bod-bod whats her face, Aurthur, Alfred etc tc
? Churchill should be up thre too.

Boadicea,or, to the purist (bore) Budicca. Arthur, I regret to inform you, bach, was Welsh. Well, according to the 12th Century Mabinogion he was, but then, like St. Gerge, he may well not have even existed. Nor, it seems, did Robin Hood

[Niamh]

Ah yes but myths and legends romance a countries past and the legends of Arthur and his Knights are to Britain that ChuChullain is to Ireland. In Le Morte D'Arthur, he is marked as a Briton who during the time it is based would have placed him within Englands bounaries moreso that Wales. However, i would not mark him as an Icon of England, but an Icon of Britain.

[dafydd manton]

Agreed, except that Brython was predominately Wales - and forget ye not that the Welsh possessions went as far as Catterick in the North. They lost the lot through drunkenness - some things never change!

[Niamh]

Ah yes good point.
Dont know about the drunkinness! From personal experience i've never met anyone who drinks more than the English!

Hooligan behaviour at football matchs should be on that list.

[dafydd manton]

You're probably right, although the Scots are in with a good shout.

[Virgil]

Boadicea,or, to the purist (bore) Budicca. Arthur, I regret to inform you, bach, was Welsh. Well, according to the 12th Century Mabinogion he was, but then, like St. Gerge, he may well not have even existed. Nor, it seems, did Robin Hood

King Arthur and the kinghts of the round table, Robbin Hood, and St. George! How could I forget? Of course.

[prendrelemick]

Just watching the Trooping of the Colour from Horse-guards parade. Its so unashamedly splendid and British. Guardsmen marching up and down in their scarlet tunics and bearskins, the King's Troop on their polished horses, the Household cavalry with their shiney breastplates the military band playing stirring music, the cry of the Sargeant Majors ringing out. It has absolutely no parallel anywhere else in the world.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Spitfire hands down!

One of the most beautiful aircraft designs known, whose iconic fame grew from the Battle of Britain. But let’s not forget the oft overlooked Hawker Hurricane which shouldered the lions share in Britain’s defence during the “Battle”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUx3M...eature=related

The video just brought another icon to mind; “The White Cliffs of Dover”

I too agree that Westminster Abbey should be included.
Now I'm off to wipe the tear from my eye and regain my composure.

Gilliatt

[MarkBastable]

It has absolutely no parallel anywhere else in the world.

That doesn't necessarily make it a good thing.

[soundofmusic]

So many wonderful places; but my first thought is always Westminister Abby, such an amazing thing to walk by the sarcophaguses of the great kings and queens; the poets corner...
St Johns and Kings College in Cambridge...
The river where Shellys wife drown herself ....
The tower of London: Henry's wives and the spies from less than one hundred years ago spending their last days in those walls....
Oxford...
stratford on avon...

Hey Mark, Didn't anyone mention the Beatles?

[prendrelemick]

That doesn't necessarily make it a good thing.

Thats as maybe, but it is iconic and British. It has an inherent pointlessness - but we do it anyway. Its a mad dog and Englishman type of thing

[Scheherazade]

Just watching the Trooping of the Colour from Horse-guards parade.

Have no idea what that is.

[prendrelemick]

Have no idea what that is.

7:15 tonight on BBC 2.

[Scheherazade]

7:15 tonight on BBC 2.

Oh, excellent!

Instead of watching England vs USA, I can indulge in a spot of guards trooping colours.