I suppose that many of you are at least partially familar with the history of England or the UK. What is your favourite period ?
I like all periods, but the 18th and 19th century are particularily exciting. My favourite king, however, would be Henry VIII, for having the guts to dismiss the Pope as a mere foreign ecclesiastic, nationalise all the church's property (a good way to become ultra-rich quicker than Bill gates ) and lay the foundation to a strong and unified England.
I think I'd go for Roman Britain, around 200AD. Mind you I like Roman history.
As for my favourite monarch possibly Elizabeth I. In a time of Queens she was the best. Definiatly her fathers daughter. Another would be John. A popular king with the people, just not well liked by the barons. Read somewhere he was the closest we've had to an atheistic king. Didn't care much for religion, which is surprising cinsidering the era in which he lived. As for his brother, Richard, a blood thristy homosexual with no love of the country he ruled. A bit of a jerk really
I'd vote Britain during Second World War and especially the social history of that period, the "People's War" - how the Britons lived, built a sense of community during the harsh years.
Furthermore, political history during that period; the Neville Chamberlain, the Winston Churchill and the Clement Atlee years.
In addition, the history of the working class in Britain and industrialisation....
It would be difficult for me to choose one period, since the influence of the UK over world events has been so pervasive in at least the last three hundred years--and truthfully before even that. However, if I must choose one period, and that was the Hobson's Choice offered, I would pick the Victorian era. Like most of history, it is one of great contrasts and a long period of British affluence (some would say at the expense of the rest of the world!).
You don't have to choose only one period. This is an open poll, and you can choose as many periods as you wish (I chose almost all of them, which explains why the results are so evely distributed )
Do I sense a republican here?
What about the Cromwell period for you? Wasn't he a kiljoy. Mind you what do you expect from a puritan. The Irish still hate him.
I chose five feeling guilty for having chosen more than 3, but almost all ?? That's rather contradictory to "favorite" grammarwise as in "is your favourite", wouldn't you say ??
From Stonehenge to the Septarchs, William the Norman, the Union and Captain Drake's victory over the Armada; these are the glorious days of Britannia for me.
__________________ Z: The fish in the water are happy.
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Good questions! I suppose, the less of a king is left, the better. Hence, when decomposed completely that should be my favourite(s).
Interesting times, yeah, but Cromwell was not much better than a king, IMO (well, actually worse than some kings). Some nice ideas for reforms, but in general - & for the Irish in particular - not such a nice ruler as well.
Yeah, I know. I feel a bit guilty too. But if you ask me about my favourite food, I will give you a similar answer, because it depends too much on the period of the year, day and time. As it changes, I try to give a good average of my favourite (not just for now, but let's say, the last few years). If you insist on asking my is my favourite food right now, I may say none if I am not hungry. It's the same for history. I try to remember the periods I have been the most interested in.
I'm going for the Elizabethan period, mainly because those are my favourite blackadder episodes. And anyone that wears an arsenic face mask deserves respect.
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gAll right then, Ifll go to hellh\and tore it up. It was awful thoughts and awful words, but they was said. And I let them stay said; and never thought no more about reforming.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
I read somewhere that this was more a war against the British government than the people. Thanks to George III trying to run the country with a tame prime minister, Lord North. Probably wouldn't have happened if they had listened to other members of parliament who agreed with the colonies problems. I think George Washington wasn't going for total independence just more autonomy. The more radical factions wanted total independence. Oh hum, all in the past now.
I think that England has a very facinating history no matter what time period it was. I like the many trials and tribulations that England faced to get where it is now. Europe is cool and I hope to visit it someday soon.
Ciao!
PS. I especially like the dresses of victorian England.
I'm going to have to go with Vikings for 500 Alex.
Seriously - Vikings.
Wow.
You may not want to meet a Viking, but wouldn't it be awesome to be one?
I'm sort of half kidding, but I did do some research once on Viking law and I found the entire thing to be completely facinating. In many ways they had a society that was much more advanced than various others in the world at the time. Also the dichotomy of their nature is interesting as well, peaceful and domestic at home yet fierce and brutal raiders when away.
I wonder how they managed to resolve such duality, its really amazing when you think of the trouble that modern soldiers have with post traumatic stress disorders.
Anyway, Britian has a very interesting history - what with it being basically the "stomp you in the ass" birthplace and all :)
Oh, I also clicked roman because thats another thing I always found intriguing. Even to this day they still unearth ancient roman artifacts in the UK. Quite enthralling :)
I totally agree. It is not wonder that Scandinavian societies are so egalitarian nowadays. In fact, it has been like that since early Medieval times. The Norse culture was one of the most democratic the world has ever known, easily better than the Athenian democracy, which had institutional slavery. Then it was not limited to one city-state but the whole of Scandinavia, divided in autonomous communities.
As brutal as they were with foreigners, the Vikings also created the first parliaments in the world (Iceland in 930, then the Isle of Man soon after...), and became the founders and rulers of two of the most powerful country the world as ever known : England (via Normandy and the Danelaw) and Russia (via the Principality of Kiev). It could also be argued that they left their blood in every royal families of Europe by intermarriage.
They were also the first European to reach the Americas (Vinland in New Found Land in 1000 CE, well before Columbus) and to settle Greenland, Iceland, the Shetlands and Faroe Islands.
What is your favourite period in British history ?
) and lay the foundation to a strong and unified England.
Oh how do I choose?
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