Anglo-Saxon Attitudes

An Englishman Weighs in on this Whole God Business

Having badly offended a British reader who proved too timid to leave a functioning email address, I was naturally cheered to receive the following comment on my post concerning this Yank's perception of British religion (""God is an Englishman. (He lives upstairs---but we don't mention him).")

Naturally I was pleased to have someone say something nice about my maligned piece, but I am posting it as an entry because it perfectly expresses the sentiments I've heard over and over from Brit friends and family, including my pal Mr Rumcove, my co-blogger (at Buck Naked Politics) Cockney Robin, and my husband Nicholas (A Gentleman's Domain).

"A slightly senile uncle,who lives in the attic." Possibly the most perfect description of the english attitude toward church and religion i have come across,bearing in mind I am one of the ninety four percent of the non-godbothering and didn`t find your article boring in the least,quite the contrary.

I think our ambivalent attitude to religion derives from "god" given plagues, religious wars that made merrie england resemble the modern day middle east and a not unreasonable belief that someone who tells you they know what god thinks is probably lying, and trousering what lands on the collection plate. God has been used against the British, papal control from Rome, monarchs after that professing god-given authority and then Cromwell's insane religious dictatorship, the equal of anything that might happen in Iran or Saudi.

We have even used god to beat ourselves up in modern times,the secular battles that have scarred Northern Ireland are only now abating and much work still needs to be done. I deplore the fact that Tyndall was burnt for printing the bible in English,but at least that allows it to be read at home, in private, out of harm's way, where it should be. Charles Darwin was voted in 4th place in a top 100 Briton's poll,creationism will have an uphill struggle in Britain.  (Chris H of Coventry)

After I wrote asking if I might quote him, he emailed the following additional qualifier.

I should have included the terrible Protestant/Catholic murders of the Henry VIII and Elizabeth 1st(my favourite monarch) periods,and also noted  the "scientific and industrial god" of Newton and the industrial revolution where god was envisioned as a "cosmic clockmaker" essentially constructing the universe but allowing us to make the best of the resources provided.

The Last Hangman: A Must-See for the Dedicated Anglophile

Cross-Posted at JUST EAT THE DAMN PEACH. | If you're not in need of light-hearted fun or something upbeat to take your mind off this, that, or the other, I would strongly recommend this film: the misleadingly titled  The Last Hangman, in which the always extraordinary Timothy Spall plays Britain's Albert Pierrepont, the most humane hangman in history.  (The trailer for the film is here).  It unlocks a certain small grey window on a certain period of British history and a certain aspect of British history and culture.  Besides:  Timothy Spall. 

"King Arthur"

(Cross-posted to just Eat the Damn Peach)  I watched this film over and over.  You could say I'm an addict.  And yet:  this is not the best film I've ever seen.  Or put it this way:  I have my own ideas of the King Arthur legend, all derived from "The Once and Future King," and they are different from this.   Here's what IMDb says:

Based on a more realistic portrayal of "Arthur" than has ever been presented onscreen. The film will focus on the history and politics of the period during which Arthur ruled -- when the Roman empire collapsed and skirmishes over power broke out in outlying countries -- as opposed to the mystical elements of the tale on which past Arthur films have focused. Written by Scott Summerton

The Flatland Almanack Honors List: A Tribute to Simon Schama.

    I have referred a number of times to Simon Schama's A History of Britain.  Try as you might, you will not find a history series that succeeds in the same fashion in bringing to the past and its people to life.  I haven't seen even fictional treatments of famous events from British history that excite and inspire me in the same fashion as Schama's presentation.

It is an entrancing series.  It makes you understand how---quoting now from Lucky Jim, Kingsley Amis's great comic novel of a failed history lecturer---"properly taught, history could do people a hell of a lot of good."  In all my years of schooling, I have had one professor of history who knew how to teach it.  I didn't like him, but I loved his course. 

Good Old Norman the Conqueror vs. William the Bastard

While considering Simon Schama's History of Britain in my television/entertainment blog, "Just Eat the Damn Peach," I was reminded of my archenemy "Norman the Conqueror," who got me ridiculed mercilessly in a college European history course because I referred to him thus throughout an examination.  I've hated "William the Bastard"  (it's not an insult, it's what the Saxons called him) ever since.  It was one of the most humiliating moments in my otherwise exemplary University career.

All right, I know now that it is "William", not "Norman."  It's a mistake anyone could make.  In fact, I think "Norman the Conqueror" needs to be recognized as a reasonable alternative (are you listening, Simon Schama? xxxx). 

Nick, who came 30-something years late to the mockery game didn't agree. 

So prove my point, I've compiled the following references:

[quote from "William the Conqueror Spins in his Grave!" at "The Language Legend", 02.19.2005]

William the Conqueror, leader in 1066 of what came to be known as the Norman Conquest, is himself variously known - as "William the Bastard" [see???] in some historical accounts, and as "Norman the Conqueror" by my 2004 A2 class who were, by their own admission, rather historically challenged! But having been responsible for introducing not only the delights of French cuisine but also its lexicon, beef instead of a slab of cow, I have no doubt The Bastard is spinning helplessly in his grave this week.

[quote ends (emphasis mine)]

I hope he is spinning, the bastard.  But it's not just me and that one history class; no.

[From The Guardian Unlimited,  by Mimi Spencer from July 10, 2005:  Hip, cool, and cold] 

During the exam season, students across the land were mainlining smoked mackerel, cranberries and Pro-Plus in a bid to remember when Norman the Conqueror got here.

[quote ends (emphasis mine)]

Okay; it is The Guardian Unlimited, so I'm sure the above was included in a spirit of mockery at the similarly challenged.  But it proves, doesn't it, that somewhere out there, there is a disposition to think of William the B as Norman the C.   It is a mistake that others, if not perhaps just anyone, could---and do--- make.

Here's a website that acknowledges this, Harbottle's Encyclopedia]:

[quote begins from Kings and Queens of England at Harbottle's Encyclopedia]

Norman the Conqueror  sorry, William the Conqueror The Normans were basically Norsemen who had conquered Normandy. William Duke of Normandy decided he would like a holiday, so he set sail for Hastings with his mates.

[quote ends]

But wait! There's more: