A word about our English heritage. We have been watching a documentary on the How the Celts saved Britain an old BBC4 programme presented by Dan Snow. It prompted one of our regular discussions regarding Englishness. People in England and especially those of for want of a better word the upper class, are very proud of their “pure” ancestors and often quote how many generations their family tree goes back. The truth is none of us are, we are all the product of many invasions, immigration, inter marriage.
Let’s take our green and pleasant land. Firstly we were invaded and subjugated by the Romans, once they had gone, we were invaded by the Saxons, then the Vikings and as time moved on the Normans. Now that is just ancient history over about 600 years, not much purity there. Moving on even the Royal family cannot trace their heritage back to actual English monarchs, we brought in William (Dutch) and most of our current Royals have German ancestors! Wendy has German heritage, I have Latvian and Italian. I would suggest the idea that you are English, is actually a false one and might explain why we as a nation have such a superiority and inferiority complex both at the same time! Far back in our history we were as much part of Europe as any mainland country indeed we were occupied by those who came from Europe in the first place. Later “we” occupied large parts of what is now France and ruled them. This might explain our ambivalent relationship with our European neighbours. I am sure deep down we believe we should be telling them how to run Europe and that we are the most sensible and powerful country (all evidence to the contrary) in it!
It is an irony how we come from a history of occupation by those from European nations and yet we had the perfect opportunity to help mould it and shape its future we decided to believe the lies and vote to leave the EU!
I see the former PM Gordon Brown has started a campaign to get Britain to re-join the EU and I for one will be supporting it. If the Irish border problem is not proof of what a poor decision leaving was, then I don’t what is!
Now a few words on the proposed extension to the current lockdown rules, no no no no no no no no no no no NO NO NO! We have had enough and the risk factor is acceptable.
Stay well
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