Englishness
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the characteristics of the English identity. What is Englishness and is it possible to define it in anything more than the loosest and baggiest terms?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the characteristics of the English identity. βAn Englishmanβs word is his bondβ, βAn Englishmanβs home is his castleβ. βEngland is a nation of shopkeepersβ, but also βthe most exclusive club there isβ. To Cecil Rhodes to be an Englishman was to have βwon first prize in the lottery of lifeβ but to Jonathan Swift the English were βthe most pernicious race of odious vermin that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the earthβ. Organised, effete, cruel, brave, inventive, determined β¦Who are the English? And when, how and in what heat was their English identity forged? Britain has now the highest percentage of inter-racial marriages in the world. Does that say as much about the English as their previously branded characteristics of gravity, sense of order, domesticity and propriety? What was Englishness and is it possible now to define it in anything more than the loosest and baggiest terms?With Paul Langford, Professor of Modern History, University of Oxford; Peter Mandler, Professor of Modern History at London Guildhall University; Professor Lola Young Director of the National Museum and Archives of Black History and Culture.
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Broadcasts
- Thu 20 Apr 2000 09:02ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Thu 20 Apr 2000 21:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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