England

Anastasiia Nyzyk
 Flag of England

The flag of England, also known as the England flag or Saint

George's Cross, also called the Cross of Saint George is
used as the civil and state flag of the country of England, part
of the United Kingdom.

The flag of England was first used in the Late Middle Ages, and
throughout history it has been used as an emblem for English
soldiers and navy ships. In 1606, the flag of England was
incorporated into the design of the Union Jack, the flag of the
United Kingdom.
 Where did the flag of England come from?

The origins of the flag of England can be traced back to the Crusades, in which many Christian nations
would use a cross as a symbol to show their link to Christianity, which also uses a cross as its symbol.
In 1188, the red cross was used by Philip II of France during the Crusades and Henry II of England
used a white cross, but at some point the English forces stopped using a white cross and started using
a red cross instead.

There is a legend that Richard the Lionheart adopted the red cross to symbolise St George, as
around the same time St George was also made the patron saint of England. However, this is disputed
as several nations used the red cross as their emblem at the time, such as the Republic of Genoa.
The first official recorded use of the red cross on
a white background by English forces was during
the reign of Edward I in the 1270s, and there
are records of Edward I commissioning the St
George's cross on banners to be used as a
'national emblem'. The flag's association with
Saint George comes from the fact that St George
was the patron saint of soldiers.
The first use of the flag of England as a maritime flag was in
1545, during the reign of Henry VIII. When England and
Scotland united with the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the red
cross was combined with the blue and white St Andrew's Cross
of Scotland to create the first version of the Union Jack.

It was not until the 19th century that the flag bearing the St
George Cross and the Union Jack were distinguished from
each other, as up until then both flags had been used to
represent England. In the modern day, the Union Jack is used
to represent the United Kingdom, and the flag of England is
used to represent England exclusively.
“Three Lions of Anjou”

The history of the three lions symbol goes back to the 12th Century when a red crest with
three gold lions would be carried into battle to inspire English troops. The first one came from
Henry I - known as the lion of England - who had a lion on his standard on taking power in
1100.
King Henry I (1100-1135) was known as the 'Lion of Justice', and kept a small zoo which
included lions. He either used two lions on his shield (as Duke of Normandy, a state whose flag
has two lions) to start with, or used one from his nickname then added the other upon his
second marriage to Adeliza of Louvain (1121), whose symbol was also a lion. The two-lion
shield was thus a personal one for the king, not the country as a whole. Henry's grandson later
came to the throne as Henry II (1154-1189), and married the doughty Eleanor of Aquitaine,
whose symbol was yet another lion. By the year 1195 their son, Richard I, had combined his
parents' arms (having shoved his father off the throne) to form three lions.

”The original banner of King Richard the Lionheart” is still used as a national symbol of
England.
There are several alternative names for England and the
English. These names may have historical or cultural
significance and can be used in various contexts.
● Sassenachs- A name still used by many Scots to
denote the English.
● Albion- A Roman name for Great Britain.
● Geordies- A colloquial name for, strictly, a native of
Tyneside in northeast England.
● Limeys- The American colloquial name for the British.
The National Anthem

England has no official National anthem of its own;

generally the United Kingdom anthem, "God Save the
King", is used. Many people, like the England Rugby
team, prefer a more patriotic song for England such as
Land of Hope and Glory or Jerusalem.
"God Save the Queen" (current title, "God Save the King" when the monarch is male):
The official National Anthem of the UK. The authorship of the words and tune are both
unknown, although they were established by the mid-eighteenth century. Most people only
know the first of the three verses. Contrary to the propaganda of some Scottish nationalists, the
notorious "rebellious Scots to crush" verse was not part of the "original" or "official" version of
the anthem (there is no "official" lyric), but was used occasionally (it is unclear by how many
people) at the time of the 1745 Rebellion. "God Save the Queen" is also one of two alternative
national anthems of New Zealand, and is used by other Commonwealth nations as a "royal
anthem" at events where the monarch, their personal representative, or members of the core
royal family, are personally present.
● "Land of Hope and Glory": Words by AC Benson, set to "Pomp and Circumstance March No.
1" by Sir Edward Elgar. Used as the England national anthem at the Commonwealth Games
until 2006, until 2005 by the England rugby league team (replaced by "God Save the Queen"),
and by the England darts team. The finale of the Last Night of the Proms.
● "Jerusalem": Words by William Blake (known as a poem by its first line "And did those feet
in ancient time", and initially the preface to his long poem Milton), with music by Sir Hubert
Parry. Replaced "Land of Hope and Glory" as the England national anthem at the
Commonwealth Games in 2010 after an online poll, also used by the England cricket team. Its
use as a hymn in church is controversial, as some clergy consider it too nationalistic and
disapprove of Blake's heterodox (to put it mildly) religious beliefs. The anthem of the Women's
Institutes, after being strongly associated with the suffragette movement. Has been used by
all the major UK political parties, but particularly popular now with Labour Party members and
left-wing patriots in general, due to its focus on improving England without explicit declarations
of superiority to or calls to conquer other nations.
Land

England is bounded on the north by Scotland; on the west by

the Irish Sea, Wales, and the Atlantic Ocean; on the south by
the English Channel; and on the east by the North Sea.

England makes up about two-thirds of the island of Great

Britain and the offshore areas of the Isle of Wight and the Isles
of Scilly. It has a total area of 50,346 square miles (130,395 sq
km) and a topography that consists mainly of gently rolling
hills and lowlands.England is separated from France and
continental Europe by a 21-mile (34 km) gap. However, they
are physically connected to each other by the Channel
Tunnel near Folkestone. The Channel Tunnel is the longest
undersea tunnel in the world.There are also several large rivers
in England, one of which is the famous Thames River, which
runs through London. This river is also the longest river in
England.
The climate is considered temperate maritime,
and it has mild summers and winters.
Precipitation is also common throughout
much of the year. England's climate is
moderated by its maritime location and the
presence of the Gulf Stream. The average
January low temperature is 34 F (1 C), and
the average July high temperature is 70 F (21
C).
The ancient counties of England are historic
subdivisions of England established for administration by
the Normans. These divisions had emerged from a range
of units of old, pre-unification England, whether they
were Kingdoms, such as Essex and Sussex; Duchies, such
as Yorkshire, Cornwall and Lancashire or simply tracts of
land given to some noble, as is the case with Berkshire.
Population/ Greater London

Its population of more than 55 million people (2016 estimate) makes England the largest
geographical region in the United Kingdom. It has a population density of 1,054 persons per
square mile (407 persons per square km), and the largest city in England is London, at 8.8
million people and growing.

Greater London, often referred to as London, is a large metropolitan area that includes not
only the City of London (the historic and financial center) but also 32 additional boroughs.
These boroughs collectively make up the Greater London administrative region. Greater
London is a diverse and dynamic urban area that is known for its cultural, economic, and social
significance. It is one of the most populous and diverse regions in the United Kingdom, with a
wide range of neighborhoods, attractions, and cultural amenities.
 The major landmarks of London

The city is located on the River Thames, which flows through

the heart of London.

The Tower of London: A historic castle located on the north

bank of the River Thames. It is known for its role in English
history and its collection of the Crown Jewels.The massive White
Tower is a typical example of Norman military architecture,
whose influence was felt throughout the kingdom. It was built on
the Thames by William the Conqueror to protect London and
assert his power. The Tower of London – an imposing fortress
with many layers of history, which has become one of the symbols
of royalty – was built around the White Tower.
Westminster Abbey, London church that is the site of coronations and other ceremonies of
national significance. It stands just west of the Houses of Parliament in the Greater
London borough of Westminster. Situated on the grounds of a former Benedictine
monastery, it was refounded as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster by Queen
Elizabeth I in 1560. In 1987 Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret’s Church, and the
Houses of Parliament were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Buckingham Palace, palace and London residence of the British sovereign. It is situated
within the borough of Westminster. The palace takes its name from the house built (c. 1705)
for John Sheffield, duke of Buckingham. It was bought in 1762 by George III for his
wife, Queen Charlotte, and became known as the queen’s house.
Stonehenge, prehistoric stone circle monument,
cemetery, and archaeological site located on
Salisbury Plain, about 8 miles (13 km) north of
Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Though there is
no definite evidence as to the intended purpose of
Stonehenge, it was presumably a religious site and an
expression of the power and wealth of the chieftains,
aristocrats, and priests who had it built—many of
whom were buried in the numerous barrows close by.
It was aligned on the Sun and possibly used for
observing the Sun and Moon and working out the
farming calendar.
 Ancient tribes on English territory

● Celts: The Celts were among the earliest known inhabitants of the British Isles, and they had a
significant presence in what is now England. Different Celtic tribes and groups lived in various
regions, such as the Britons in southern and eastern England, and the Brigantes in the north.
● Iceni: The Iceni were a Celtic tribe who lived in what is now East Anglia. They are known for
their famous queen, Boudica (Boadicea), who led a rebellion against Roman rule in the 1st
century AD.
● Dumnonii: This Celtic tribe resided in what is now Devon and Cornwall, and their descendants
still have a presence in those regions.
● Coritani: The Coritani were a Celtic tribe that lived in the East Midlands, including parts of
what is now Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire.
● Catuvellauni: The Catuvellauni were a powerful Celtic tribe in southern England and were
associated with the modern counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and parts of
neighboring areas.
Post-Roman Invaders and Settlers:

● Angles, Saxons, and Jutes: After the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the early 5th
century, the Anglo-Saxons, consisting of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, began to settle in
what is now England. They are often collectively referred to as the Anglo-Saxons. They
established the foundations of the English language and culture.
● Vikings (Norse Invaders): In the late 8th and 9th centuries, Viking raids and
invasions took place in various parts of England, leading to the establishment of the
Danelaw, an area where Viking law and customs held sway. Vikings also settled in eastern
and northern England.
● Normans: The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 under William the Conqueror
brought about significant changes in English society. The Normans introduced a feudal
system and constructed castles and cathedrals.
● The Plantagenets and Other Medieval Invaders: England saw various other
invasions and migrations during the medieval period, including those associated with the
Plantagenet dynasty and the Hundred Years' War.
What important event marking a new era happened in the 11th century?

The event you are referring to is indeed the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.
As mentioned earlier, the Norman Conquest, which began with the Battle of Hastings in 1066,
marked a significant turning point in English history. William the Conqueror and the Normans
defeated King Harold II and the Anglo-Saxons, resulting in the establishment of Norman rule in
England. This event had far-reaching consequences for the governance, culture, and language of
England and is often seen as the beginning of the Norman era in medieval Britain.
The Tudor dynasty

● Henry VIII lived at Hampton Court Palace in London which you can still
visit today.
● The Tudor Rose became the emblem of Tudor England.
● Crime and punishment in Tudor England were severe and public execution was
common. They were popular events for people to attend.
● The Tudors are most famous for Henry VIII's creation of the Church of England.
This was called the Protestant Reformation and changed England from a
Catholic country to a Protestant one.
● Tudor houses are recognizable across England today. They were typically
half-timbered with wooden frames and are known for their 'black-and-white'
effect.
● Mary I was named after Henry VIII's favourite sister, Mary Tudor.
● Elizabeth I was the longest reigning Tudor monarch, her reign lasted 45 years.
● Elizabeth I never married; she was called 'The Virgin Queen'.
● During Elizabeth I's reign, explorer Francis Drake claimed new lands for England in the
newly discovered America. The American state of Virginia is named after her.
● Elizabeth I's victory over the Spanish Armada was so significant as the Armada was the
greatest military fleet England had ever faced and marked England's newfound mastery of
the seas.
● During her reign, Elizabeth I fought against her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots to keep the
crown. Mary had a claim to the throne and supported claims that Elizabeth was illegitimate.
Elizabeth eventually imprisoned and executed Mary.
● In Tudor England, only the sons of wealthy families went to school. They learnt Latin,
Greek, religion and mathematics.
● Tudor monarchs, especially Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, wore elaborate and ornate clothing.
Fine materials such as silk and jewels were how they displayed their wealth.
● The Globe Theatre in London was built during the reign of Elizabeth I due to the popularity
of theatre in Tudor times, which also saw the works of William Shakespeare.
The main language spoken in England is English; however,
there are many regional dialects of English used throughout
England. In addition, recent large numbers of immigrants
have introduced several new languages to England. The most
common of these are Punjabi and Urdu.
Today England is governed as a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy
within the United Kingdom, and it is controlled directly by the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
England has not had its own government since 1707 when it joined Scotland to form the Kingdom of
Great Britain.
Several different political subdivisions attend to local administration within England's borders.
There are four different levels within these divisions, the highest level of which are the nine regions of
England. These include the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West
Midlands, East, South East, South West, and London. Below the regions in the hierarchy are England's
48 ceremonial counties, followed by metropolitan counties and civil parishes.

England has one of the largest economies in the world, and it is very mixed, with sectors in
manufacturing and service. London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is also one of the
world's largest financial centers. England's economy is the largest in the United Kingdom, and the
main industries are finance and banking, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, shipbuilding,
tourism, and software/information technology.
Public school, in the United Kingdom, one of a relatively small group of institutions educating
secondary-level students for a fee and independent of the state system as regards both endowment
and administration. The term public school emerged in the 18th century when the reputation of
certain grammar schools spread beyond their immediate environs. By the late 20th century the
term independent school was increasingly preferred by the institutions themselves.

The typical great public school—such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Westminster, Rugby,
Shrewsbury, or Charterhouse—evolved from an institution founded by a single benefactor
during the late Middle Ages or Renaissance. Such charitable foundations, almost invariably for
males only, had usually been intended to educate local boys from relatively humble backgrounds.
From about the 17th century the upper classes took increasing advantage of the tuition afforded by
these foundations.
 Winchester school
Eton school

Harrow school
How is English law different from that of Scotland and Northern Ireland?

The legal system of England & Wales is different from that of Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Each has its own court system and body of laws. English law is derived from English common
law with a heavy influence of medieval Germanic sources. Scottish common law is derived from
Roman law roots but has, over the past few centuries, developed many affinities with the
English common law. The traditional barrister/solicitor distinction is present throughout the
United Kingdom although in Scotland, a "barrister" is called an "advocate".
Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police
and, by association, a name often used to denote that force. It is located
on the River Thames at Victoria Embankment just north of
Westminster Bridge in the City of Westminster.
The London police force was created in 1829 by an act introduced in
Parliament by the home secretary, Sir Robert Peel (hence the
nicknames “bobbies” and “peelers” for policemen). This police force
replaced the old system of watchmen and eventually supplanted the
River (Thames) Police and the Bow Street patrols, the latter a small
body of police in London who had been organized in the mid-18th
century by the novelist and magistrate Henry Fielding and his half
brother, Sir John Fielding. The original headquarters of the new
London police force were in Whitehall, with an entrance in Great
Scotland Yard, from which the name originates.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), publicly financed
broadcasting system in Great Britain, operating under royal
charter. It held a monopoly on television in Great Britain from its
introduction until 1954 and on radio until 1972. Headquarters are
in the Greater London borough of Westminster.

ITV, in the United Kingdom, television network consisting of a

consortium of private companies in competition with the British
Broadcasting Corporation. It is regulated by the Office of
Communications. The ITV network was authorized by an act of
Parliament in 1954, when the BBC’s monopoly over radio and
television broadcasting was modified to permit a single channel to
operate by selling airtime to advertisers.
Sky News, British satellite, broadcast, and streaming
news service that is owned by the British media and
telecommunications conglomerate Sky Group, a division
of the multinational telecommunications company
Comcast. Sky News, headquartered in London, has
consistently won plaudits for the breadth and depth of its
reporting. The news service was founded by Rupert
Murdoch and launched on February 5, 1989, as the first
24-hour news television channel in the United Kingdom.
In the 2020s Sky News International was available in 138
countries via broadcast, satellite transmission, and
streaming. Sky News also had a radio arm, Sky News
Radio.
The Independent, politically independent daily newspaper founded in
1986 and published in London.
The founders of The Independent—Andreas Whittam Smith, Matthew
Symonds, and Stephen Glover (all former staff members of The Daily
Telegraph)—believed that many of Britain’s educated and affluent citizens
desired an objective source of daily news, one without the strong political
biases of the country’s established newspapers. The Independent found a
large audience immediately, its daily sales nearly matching those of The
Guardian and The Times. A Sunday edition, The Independent on
Sunday, was launched in 1990.

The Times, daily newspaper published in London, one of Britain’s

oldest and most influential newspapers. It is generally accounted, with The
Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, one of Britain’s “big three” and has
long been recognized as one of the world’s greatest newspapers. Founded by
John Walter on January 1, 1785.
The Mirror, daily newspaper published in London that frequently has the largest circulation in
Britain. The Mirror was founded by Alfred Harmsworth, later Viscount Northcliffe, in 1903 as a
newspaper for women. Its photo-rich tabloid format has consistently stressed sensational,
human-interest, and personal types of stories, and its politically independent stance has enabled it to
adopt a “common man versus bureaucracy” approach to many stories.
Sport
England gave to the world the sports of cricket, football (soccer), and rugby football but now seldom
shines at any of these in international competitions. Among the most popular sports and recreational
activities in which the English participate are angling, basketball, snooker, and swimming.

The Championships, commonly known simply as

Wimbledon, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world
and is regarded by many as the most prestigious. It has been
held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in
Wimbledon, London, since 1877 and is played on outdoor
grass courts, with retractable roofs over the two main courts
since 2019.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616):
● William Shakespeare, (baptized April 26, 1564,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England—died April 23,
1616, Stratford-upon-Avon), English poet, dramatist, and
actor often called the English national poet and considered
by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time.
● Often regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets
in the English language, Shakespeare's works, including
"Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth," continue to
be widely studied and performed.
J.R.R. Tolkien, (born January 3, 1892,
Bloemfontein, South Africa—died September 2,
1973, Bournemouth, Hampshire, England),
English writer and scholar who achieved fame
with his children’s book The Hobbit (1937)
and his richly inventive epic fantasy The Lord
of the Rings (1954–55).
In the United Kingdom, public holidays are days on which most businesses and non-essential
services are closed. Many retail businesses (especially the larger ones) do open on some of the public
holidays. There are restrictions on trading on Sundays, Easter Day and Christmas Day in England
and Wales and on New Year's Day and Christmas Day in Scotland. Public holidays defined by
statute are called bank holidays, but this term can also be used to include common law holidays,
which are held by convention. The term "public holidays" can refer exclusively to common law
holidays.

There are eight bank holidays a year in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern
Ireland. Additional days have been allocated for special events, such as royal weddings and jubilees.
There are seven bank holidays common to all jurisdictions: New Year's Day, Good Friday, the early
May bank holiday, the Spring bank holiday, the Summer bank holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing
Day. Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but not in Scotland.
English cuisine has traditionally been based on beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and fish, all
cooked with the minimum of embellishment and generally served with potatoes and one other
vegetable—or, in the case of fish (most commonly cod or haddock) deep-fried in batter and
served with deep-fried potato slices (chips).

Fish and chips, traditionally wrapped in old

newspapers to keep warm on the journey home, has
long been one of England’s most popular carryout
dishes. By convention, at least for middle-income
households, the main family meal of the week was the
“Sunday joint,” when a substantial piece of beef, lamb,
or pork was roasted in the oven during the morning and
served around midday.