ENGLAND

History

England came into being in the 10th century and was originally settled by a group of people
known as the Angles, which is where the word Anglican comes from. Scientists believe that
humans inhabited England over 7000,000 years ago. Flint tools and other artifacts have been
found in the areas of Norfolk and Suffolk. Over time, more and more people inhabited England
because of its temperate climate. The history of England is one that is rich with passion and
emotion. England shared a close relationship with the Romans, and had an amicable trading
relationship with them at one time. By the 7th to 10th centuries, the Christians had quickly taken
over and had established solid religious values in the country. Of course, the medieval period is
one of the most interesting and important parts of the history of England. Many battles took
place during this period including the Hundred Years' War. The Magna Carta was also signed
during this time era.

In 1707, Scotland and England decided to merge to form what was then known as the Unified
Kingdom of Great Britain. In 1800, Ireland also jumped into the picture. During this time, the
Parliament of England was formed, which is one of the most significant elements of the history
of England. The Palace of Westminster Abbey was built, giving a home to those participating in
the country's governmental practices. Buckingham Palace was also built to serve as a home and
iconic structure for England's King and Queen. Today, England is a booming country with a
wonderful heritage. The city of London is England's largest city, and is a hub for culture, art,
politics, theater, and fashion, to name a few. The country of England is known for things like
soccer, interesting food, and the home of the world's most famous rock and roll band, the
Beatles. The history of England goes back a long way, and its culture and people are very proud
of their beloved country.

Cities

When you visit the United Kingdom, you may be amazed by the number of cities in England and
how they vary in their culture, architecture and atmosphere. Many cities in England, such as
Birmingham and Liverpool in the North, are industrial centers, while other cities in England,
such as Bath and Canterbury, have historic interest and are rather small, yet attract large numbers
of tourists each year.

London, of course, is the most well-known of all cities in England, and is the nation's capital.
London is also among the oldest cities in England, and it was founded by the Romans over 2,000
years ago. The Thames flows through the city, running past some of the most well-known
landmarks, such as the Tower of London, Hyde Park, Big Ben and Parliament. Like many cities
in England, London is rich with history and cultural life, and is one of the most popular tourist
destinations on the planet.

Oxford and Cambridge are cities in England associated with a long tradition of learning. They
contain the largest universities in the English-speaking world, and have some of the oldest
buildings in the country. The universities are comprised of a network of small colleges which are

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scattered throughout the cities. Oxford, although small, is slightly more cosmopolitan, while
Cambridge is bucolic. Both places are filled with things to do and are great places for people-
watching.

Bath is among the oldest cities in England, and was founded by the Romans. As its name
suggests, it was a center for a large, Roman style bath, and people would travel from all over the
country to discover the healing effects of its water. The city provides splendid examples of
Ancient Roman architecture. There are also many restaurants and cafes to rest after a day of
seeing the sites. Bath rightly deserves its reputation for beauty and historical interest.

Castles

One aspect of visiting the United Kingdom that cannot be ignored is touring the Castles in
England. There are so many small and large castles in England that it is virtually impossible to
discuss all of them in one place. The castles in England had a variety of uses, from housing kings
during vacations to punishing the many prisoners within their walls. Some castles in England are
in relatively good condition, while others exist in ruins, but are fascinating. It is a good idea to
tour the castles in England to get a taste of what life was like for both prisoners and royalty
hundreds of years ago.

Of all the Castles in England, perhaps the most famous is the Tower of London, which housed
some of Britain's most notorious criminals and innocents throughout history. It was here that the
young successors were placed by Richard III and allegedly murdered in his lust for power. The
Tower was the favorite place to incarcerate prisoners and there is a museum in the tower which
gives the visitor an idea of what life was like for the prisoner. However, the tower, like many
other castles in England, is not for the faint of heart.

Many castles in England are more benign than the Tower, and are good not only for a casual
visit, but can also be used as a venues for various occasions. Many castles of England have been
converted into B& Bs to refresh and interest weary travelers. There are also conferences that are
held in many castles of England. In addition to castle museums, many castles have beautiful
gardens and mazes composed of high hedges forming labyrinths. Others have tunnels and
dungeons which are good for exploring. Many castles in England are rented out for special
weddings. Make room on your travel agenda to explore castles of England and step back in
history.

Church

The Church of England is considered the very first established Christian church in all of
England. While this is considered to be common knowledge, it is a seldom known fact that the
church itself supports two basic religions. The first is the protestant faith, and the second religion
is Catholicism. It is important to note that within the Church of England, there are many different
people taking part in its rituals, including archbishops, vicars, priests, and other clergy members,
to name a few. The Church of England was first developed many, many years ago and has
evolved over the last few centuries. Even still, it is steeped in tradition that is hard pressed to be
found anywhere else in the world. The church does not receive any money from the government,

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but operates solely on its members' donations and tithes. In addition, historic endowments help
since the beautiful buildings have serious historic merit as well.

There are over 16,000 church buildings in all of England. The role of religion in the country is a
very significant one. While Catholicism and Protestants are the two main religions, there are
some Baptists and Evangelical sectors as well. The very first Church of England was created in
Canterbury in the year AD 597, and was called St. Martin's. Today, one of the most well known
churches in England is St. Paul's Cathedral in London. These beautiful buildings are the most
visited of all building types for just about every area in England. Not only are they known for the
intricate and beautiful architectural features, but they are also a place where people can come to
reflect and pray. The Church of England has held a very significant role in the lives of its
citizens, and continues to offer them a place of rest and renewal, as well as giving the country of
England an identity and a strong belief system.

Universities

Universities in England have a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and are no longer the
“bastions of elitism” as once alleged by cynics. The most well-known universities in England
and the top universities in the world are Oxford and Cambridge. The face of these universities in
England is changing as a more diverse student body is growing. In addition to accepting students
from all over the world, there are many more students nowadays from disadvantaged
backgrounds who show substantial academic merit and claim a place among the most prestigious
universities in England.

Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England are comprised of many small colleges rather than
one large campus. This network of colleges is the foundation for the university system. These
colleges vary in appearance, flavor and size, and there are many colleges which date back to
medieval times, while others are quite modern in appearance. Some colleges tend to specialize in
certain subjects, while others offer a wide variety of topics for study. These universities in
England are among the most visited and most widely respected in the world.

However, not all universities in England are like Oxford and Cambridge. London and Leeds
universities in England are structured like typical universities elsewhere, and have different
schools specializing in many areas of studies. Students can live in apartment buildings or in
modern dorms and attend lectures in large halls and use libraries. In these city universities in
England, there are many working part-time and married or mature students, and the number of
international students continues to grow.

Other universities in England are designed for those who otherwise would not have time to be
students. The Open University is a popular distance-learning system which enables people to
earn degrees in their spare time. Through videos and other types of media, students can attend
“lectures” and give in homework. For those who cannot attend conventional universities in
England, the Open University is a good alternative.

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Kings

When England first came to be, it didn't have just one king. There were several kings in rule
depending on what area of the country you resided in. For example, there was the king of the
Celtics, the king of the Danes (Vikings), and the king of the Saxons. This division lasted for
quite some time, until finally the crowns came together and one ruler was presiding over the
land. King William I invaded England from Normandy, France, and ruled from 1066-1087. King
Henry I was the youngest son of William I, and ruled for about 35 years. When his two sons
drowned, he offered his throne to his daughter, Matilda. King Henry II was the son of Matilda
and ruled the throne at the very young age of 21. Perhaps one of the most well known kings of
England was King Richard I the Lionheart. He earned his nickname because of his sheer bravery
and warrior like attitude. He never had any children.

King Henry III was perhaps one of the most significant kings of England because he built
Westminster Abbey and created the concept of Parliament. His rule would become a major
influence on the government, and on future kings of England. King Henry VIII is one of the most
infamous kings of England. He is perhaps best known for having eight wives! The king also
constantly argued with the Pope and declared himself the new king of the Church of England.
King Henry VII, however was much loved by his country and ruled during a time of great
prosperity. There were many other kings of England, and all made their own important mark on
the country and how it came to be today. The legacy of these kings lives on in stories and
folklore, as well as in the English psyche and imagination.

Queens

Just as kings are and have always been an important part of English rule, the queens of England
have also played a role that has left its impact on the country. Some of the most famous queens
of England have become a piece of history that should never be forgotten. One of the most
famous queens was Anne, who took over the crown in 1702. Many believed that during her rule,
she inspired the many great works of writing that were to come out England during that time
period. Her reign ended in 1714 when she died at the age of 50. Queen Elizabeth was the
daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. She was very well educated and spoke many foreign
languages, giving her an edge during her rule. While she was extremely important, many claim
that she was short tempered and self centered. Rumors circulated that she had Mary Queen of
Scots put in prison and executed so that she would have total control of the throne.

Lady Jane Gray was the younger sister of Henry VIII and ruled for a very short time starting in
1553. This took place because of the death of Edward VI. Eventually Lady Jane Gray was sent to
the tower and beheaded because of her beliefs. She was convicted of treason but never let go of
what she believed in, making her a hero to some. Queen Mary is perhaps one of the better known
queens of England. She eventually married Philip of Spain, and ruled until her death in 1558.
Her famous portrait, along with a portrait of Mary II, can be seen in the National Portrait Gallery.
All of the queens of England have held an important role in the nation's development and history.
Revered by many, these queens have become a symbol of the English rule, and an inspiration for
many women around the world.

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Facts About England

The country of England is one of the world's most famous, and wealthiest. There are many facts
about England that you may not know. For example, the country is 74 times smaller than the
United States! The people of England consume more tea per capita than in any other country in
the world, which can be explained by their well known breaks, called “tea times.” The city of
London has a population of approximately 12 million people, making it the largest city in all of
Europe. Most police officers in England do not carry guns with them unless it is an extreme
emergency. The oldest zoo in the world opened in England, in the city of London in 1828. In
Medieval England, beer (or ale) was a common breakfast beverage. Shoelaces were invented in
England in 1790. England is home to the famous rock and roll band the Beatles, as well as the
Rolling Stones and many other rock bands.

Some other interesting facts about England include soccer (known as football) is the country's
most popular and well loved sport. Some of the most common indigenous animals in England
include foxes, otters, badgers, blackbirds, and sparrows. The average summer temperature in
England only reaches about 60 degrees. Some of England's most popular dishes have unusual
names such as spotted dick, bangers and mash, or toad in the hole. Many people from other
countries claim that England has the worst food choices, but natives of England will definitely
disagree. The world's most famous playwright, William Shakespeare, is a native of England, as
well as such famous authors as J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Dickens, HG Wells, and many more. The
city of Bristol is known as “the Seattle of England” because of its youth culture and booming
fashion reputation. There are many other wonderful facts about England to explore and learn
about, so you can delve into the many aspects of this beautiful country.