Who do the English think they are?
From the Anglo-Saxons to Brexit
by Derek Taylor
Published by The History Press
The English – as you’d expect from a race
1600 years in the making – are a funny lot.
They’ve often behaved in contradictory ways.
They've always placed the highest value on their democracy, but took centuries to give everyone the vote. They’ve been seen as tolerant, even though at times in their history they’ve persecuted minorities. They’ve loved political stability yet have fought among themselves.
They’ve been eccentric and funny on the one hand, and conformist and straight-laced on the other. They’ve revered the rule of law, but put a military dictator’s statue outside parliament. They’ve fought like lions in wartime, while making hatred of war respectable.
The English have managed to be both self-centred and outward looking, puritanical and permissive, arrogant and benevolent. And for much of their story, the English have been divided by a snobbish class-system, yet united against all foes.
