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With several Bank Holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to learn a few facts about England, whether you are interested in its rich history or planning to attend the annual cheese rolling festival (more about that later). And if the only fact about England you have heard so far is that it rains there 24/7, unfortunately, it's not true, and your knowledge about the country needs a software update.
You must have inevitably heard at least a few interesting facts about England that made you raise your eyebrow, question whether it really is the 21st century, or wonder whether you are being fooled or not. Although there are many misconceptions and myths surrounding British people, not all of the weird facts about England you hear are false. Quite a few are actually true! It is surprising, for example, that a country with one of the most thriving economies in the world still heavily relies on paper mail and phone calls as their preferred means of communication (yes, red phone booths are there to stay, and Brits do get an overwhelming amount of mail). However, it's these and other hallmarks that distinguish the Brits from other nations and make it one of the top travel destinations for many people. Well, it's the hallmarks AND some of the antiquated, strangest laws and rules in England that have never been revisited, and can still get one arrested if caught red-handed!
Below, we've compiled a list featuring many cool facts about England, including geographical, cultural, and historical information with some weird English laws for dessert. Were you familiar with any of these facts before? If so, let us know by giving them an upvote. Also, are there any other interesting facts that we should have mentioned? Share your knowledge about the country with fellow Pandas in the comments.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
6 ravens must be kept in the Tower of London at all times.
Old customs are the source of many bizarre facts about England. One legend is that the Tower of London must always have six captive raven birds, or the Tower and the Monarchy will collapse. It is believed that Charles II was the first to demand the protection of the Tower's ravens. This is taken so seriously that an extra raven is kept in the Tower just in case. Today, there are seven ravens in the Tower, named Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy, and Merlina.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago (edited)
A similar legend says that if the Liver birds ever fly away from Liverpool, the city will fall. That they are made of stone is irrelevant. Incidentally, if you've ever wondered how you tell which Liver bird is the male and which the female, the answer's easy. The female looks West across the docks to see all the children of Liverpool safely home, whereas the male looks East across the city to see if the pubs are open yet.
Spinning sharkyy 2 years ago
When my school took us (old school, infant i think) i got to hold one and i was so proud of myself 🙃
malaixa 2 years ago
Hmmmmm, I guess we can all rest easy knowing that the fate of the British monarchy doesn't rest on the shoulders of a bunch of birds. But let's be real, seven ravens to keep the monarchy from collapsing? Talk about a low-stakes job. I wonder if they get a pension plan for their services or if they just get paid in birdseed.
RELATED:
#2
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning queen in British history, ruling from 1952 until 2022. Following the sad demise of her father in 1952, she was just 25 when she inherited the throne. She reigned for slightly over 70 years until passing away at the age of 96.
a really far away planet 2 years ago (edited)
congrats, you've made a comment so stupid that i don't even know how to correct you.
Load More Replies... #3
England holds an annual cheese rolling competition.
Every year, grown adults, primarily men, congregate in a village in England around the end of May to pursue a rolling nine-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep slope. Because of the steepness and unevenness of the hill and the size and speed of the cheese itself, several people have suffered severe injuries throughout the years. As a result, the cheese spectacle lost its "official" management and organizers in 2010. However, because the locals are so proud of their longstanding tradition, the ritual still goes ahead each year, though spontaneously and without any supervision.
Spinning sharkyy 2 years ago
The lady who won it most, shes won it lile 4 times i think and broke her collerbone
malaixa 2 years ago
Perhaps the real competition is not in catching the cheese, but in who can roll down the hill with the most style and grace.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
It's mainly who can get to the bottom of the hill with all their bones still intact.
Load More Replies... #4
English people's obsession with tea is legit.
The obsession with tea drinking among English people is one of their best-known characteristics. The typical British drinks 884 'cuppas' annually, which is enough to fill two bathtubs, according to a YouGov poll of more than 2,000 Britons. English breakfast tea is the most popular variety, typically served with milk and sugar.
Cara 2 years ago
In Lancashire it’s a “brew”, not a cuppa. Totally freaked out a colleague who moved up from London. She couldn’t cope with signage on the staff room door saying Brew Room!
Spencer's slave 2 years ago
I'm from Lancashire originally, came to NZ via Colchester ( Army wife ) nearly 30 years ago and I still ask if anyone wants a brew.
Load More Replies... Vic 2 years ago
Indians be like: Hold my tea.. I mean beer.. Hold my beer. Many Indian drink 3-4 cups of tea in a day..
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Ace 2 years ago
Waah! That picture! No British person would ever leave the tea bag in the cup like that!
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
Unfortunately in England, tea bags are used which of course are filled with dusty tea. Tea leaves are the at for best cuppa.
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Chewie Baron 2 years ago (edited)
Tea wasn’t introduced to Britain until just after 1660, when Catherine of Braganza married Charles II. She was Portuguese, and they had been in India for a few centuries already. She also started the trend of teatime being at 4pm in the afternoon. Part of her dowry was the city of Bombay, Mumbai today.
malaixa 2 years ago
Oh, the English and their tea! It's almost as if tea is their national anthem. I mean, who needs water when you have tea, right? They drink so much tea, they probably have an IV drip of it running through their veins! And don't even get me started on the proper way to make tea. Milk before tea or tea before milk? It's like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg. It's a debate that will never end, just like their love affair with tea.
Tim Nicebutdim 2 years ago
Yorkshire Tea is the finest tea in the land and I'm a Londoner. Although I only have 1 cup a day (20 oz mug though).
Tanya Venter 2 years ago
Best time of the day is when I get my tea with sugar and milk. Tea is very popular in South-Africa
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
Fun tea facts. The term "spill the tea" , meaning to gossip or tell a secret comes from when ladies would gather and drink tea, eat tiny sandwiches and bad mouth the neighbours etc. When we get bad news the first thing anyone does is put the kettle on. Most of us drink our brew from a mug rather than a tea cup cos they're bigger and don't chip like China. Many of us like to dunk a biscuit in our brew but I'm not a fan of soggy crumbs at the bottom of my cuppa.
#5
In England, one is never more than 110 kilometers from the sea.
One of the sites in the United Kingdom that is the farthest from coastal seas is Coton In The Elms in Derbyshire, England, which is about 110 km from the shore. Hence, it's not surprising that British vacations by the sea are popular in the summer despite the sea being so chilly.
Tams21 2 years ago
The trouble is that it's much cheaper to jump in an airplane and go somewhere with much better weather.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
If the last few summers are anything to go by, we don't need to go anywhere warmer.
Load More Replies... malaixa 2 years ago
Well, that explains why the British are so fond of seafood! They're never too far from the source. But seriously, it's no wonder the beaches are always crowded during the summer, even if the water is freezing cold. I guess when you're never more than 110 kilometers from the sea, you might as well take advantage of it!
Beck 2 years ago
Is this where they filmed the carnival scene in miss peregrine home for peculiar children?
Chewie Baron 2 years ago (edited)
I do know that this is the funfair at the end of Brighton Pier. Not sure if it was used for that.
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#6
England used to be called Britannia. England, as we know it today, didn’t really emerge until the 10th century AD. When the Romans invaded Britain in 55 BC, they first referred to Great Britain as “Albion,” but this gradually changed to “Britannia.” The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus (1BC) used the name “Pretannia” to refer to the Pretani people, who the Greeks believed lived in Britain. This is where the word “Britannia” originates from. Britanni would be the term for those who lived in Britannia.
malaixa 2 years ago
Ah, Britannia, the land of tea, crumpets, and confusing name changes. It's like England can't decide who it wants to be, first Albion, then Britannia, and who knows what's next? Maybe it'll change to "Tealand" or "Biscuitland" next. But one thing's for sure, England may have changed its name, but it never lost its sense of humor.
#7
The Monarch is not allowed to enter the House of Commons.
One of several strange old rules in English law states that the reigning monarch is forbidden from entering England’s House of Commons. King Charles I’s forced arrest of five MPs during a break in the English Parliament in 1642 led to the first enactment of the law. Since then, the House of Commons can only be entered by the monarch’s representative, the Black Rod. Another interesting fact is that to signify the independence of the Commons, the door is traditionally slammed in Black Rod’s face. The representative then bangs three times on the door with the rod and only then is allowed inside.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
The last part is seen each year during the ceremonial part of the State opening of Parliament, a parliamentarian is "held hostage" at Buckingham Palace to ensure the safe return of the monarch. In reality they get to sit in half decent surroundings with a cup of tea while watching the proceedings on TV!
#8
One of the world's oldest manmade landmarks is Stonehenge.
One of the earliest manmade sites is Stonehenge in Wiltshire, built between 3000 and 2000 BC. The ruins comprise a circle of seven stones, each four meters tall, with rocks on top that line up with the sunrise on the summer solstice. The legally protected monument is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Britain's best-known sights.
Craftsman 64 2 years ago
Newgrange in Ireland is older and SOOOOO much more than a few rocks tossed in the dirt.
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
Yes it's worth mentioning that it isn't the only stone henge in the UK. There are henges and stone circles all over the place. We were mad for a bit of stone arranging back in the day.
Load More Replies... Chewie Baron 2 years ago
What is more interesting is that the bigger stones all came from a quarry in Wales, over 200 miles away.
malaixa 2 years ago
Well, if there's one thing that can survive the test of time, it's definitely Stonehenge! I mean, it's been standing there for over 4,000 years and it's still a mystery to this day. Who knew that a few rocks arranged in a circle could be so fascinating? Maybe in another 4,000 years, people will be scratching their heads over the latest mystery: why did people in the 21st century think it was a good idea to create TikTok dances?
gerard julien 2 years ago
" CARNAC, Brittany : More than 3,000 prehistoric standing stones were hewn from local granite and erected by the pre-Celtic people of Brittany and form the largest such collection in the world. The stones were erected at some stage during the Neolithic period, probably around 3300 BC, but some may date to as early as 4500 BC. " carnac-645...6c-png.jpg 
#9
England has over 100 offshore and inshore islands.
England is made up of the main island and over 100 smaller islands. They include the Farne Islands, the Isles of Furness, the Isles of Scilly, and many others. However, most of them are very small and thus unpopulated.
James Twong 2 years ago
Well this is wrong. If the 'main island' is taken to be Great (meaning large) Britain then Scotland and Wales also constitute part.
#10
The first capital of England was Winchester.
In the ninth century, the ancient city of Winchester served as England’s first capital. The city, called Wintanceaster by the Saxons, served as the seat of government for the Kingdom of Wessex until King Æthelstan unified England.
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
This is misleading given England was a mix of kingdoms at that time, post Roman. Really the first capitalist could be said to be Colchester under the Romans and they moved it to Londinium which is now London. It was after the Romans left that England fragmented again under the Saxons.
Thomas Bentley 2 years ago
Witan agemont means councill of the wise old men, so would this mean something like city of the wise?
Temporary Dork 2 years ago
Wintanceaster = wintan (may be "town") and castra (camp).
Load More Replies... #11
England is divided into 48 ceremonial counties. The Normans established the original counties hoping it would be easier to govern the lands of England. Yet, they changed as the population grew and towns and cities grew more interconnected. Today counties are primarily used for geographical differentiation, but they also have political functions. Their names often start with the name of their largest city or town and end with the prefix "shire." Yorkshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire are a few examples.
Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
Each shire had a ‘Reeve’ to keep the peace, collect taxes etc. A Shire Reeve which became ‘Sheriff’.
malaixa 2 years ago
The shortest county name in England is "Tyne and Wear," while the longest is "Greater London Authority." Tyne and Wear is located in the northeast and covers cities such as Newcastle and Sunderland, while Greater London Authority is obviously centered around London. It's not clear why they couldn't come up with a shorter name for the latter, but perhaps they were going for something grand and majestic-sounding.
Alison Hobbs 2 years ago
I live in County Durham. Yes, that's really what it's called and no, it's not in Ireland.
#12
English is the most spoken language in the world. According to data, almost 1.5 billion individuals worldwide spoke English either as a first or second language in 2022, which is slightly more than the 1.1 billion people who spoke Mandarin Chinese at the time when the survey was conducted.
a really far away planet 2 years ago (edited)
But how the heck is 400 million people considered "slightly more"?
#13
French was once the official language of England. One of the lesser-known yet fascinating facts about England is that from 1066 until 1362, French was the country's official language. William the Conqueror adopted Norman French as the language of the government and upper classes after the Norman invasion of England and his coronation as king. Although it is not quite the French we are familiar with today, it has survived well throughout the British Isles.
Hugh Cookson 2 years ago
We English are a bastard race with a bastardised language ; most of our language consists of varying mixtures of old Norse (Viking), Gaelic, Gallic, Old French, Latin etc plus bits and bobs picked up from around the World when we had an Empire (Amok, Banana, Lemon, Penguin and Guru amongst many others). Basically, we are word scavengers, sadly most English people don't carry this forward though as less than 30% speak another language sufficiently well to have a basic conversation, as opposed to 52% of people Europe wide.
Ripley 2 years ago
Interestingly, the French (Normans) were the ruling class at the time, and the native "English" were the peasant class. So the words for the livestock animals were derived from native english languages, and the words for the meat (pork, beef, etc) were derived from the French language.
Chewie Baron 2 years ago
If it was cooked and on the table it was French (beef, pork, mutton etc), outside and alive it was Saxon (cow, pig, sheep etc).
Load More Replies... gerard julien 2 years ago
" Dieu et mon droit " " Honi soit qui mal y pense " dieu-et-mo...7260c3.jpg 
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
This is depressing. I failed french GCE. I technically failed in my first language.
#14
All dolphins in British waters belong to the Crown.
All dolphins in the United Kingdom and in British seas, together with sturgeons, porpoises, swans, and whales, are considered to be the property of King Charles III. All fish captured within three kilometers of the British coast are referred to as “fishes royal” and are hence the property of the monarch. This law was initially passed in 1324 and is still in effect.
Craftsman 64 2 years ago
Don't forget swans - they belong to the Crown and are the first line of defense to rivers, canals, and ponds.
Donkey boi 2 years ago
It's was actually just Whales and sturgeon that were caught in British waters. And it was not 'property of the king' it's 'Prerogativa Regis' or 'Royal Prerogative', meaning the crown reserves the right to have it if they want. However, the Law in the UK works by supersedence. If a new law supersedes an older one, the older one does not need to be formally repealed, and given that Whales and sturgeon are now protected species, it is illegal to catch them.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
Hence we also have the Prince of Whales (according to a certain ex-president...).
Bill McDowall 2 years ago
Has someone told the animals yet? They may well have an opinion of their own.
#15
The BBC is the oldest national broadcaster in the world.
The country's national broadcaster and the oldest in the world—founded in 1922—is the British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC doesn't air any commercials. However, to fund it and access the channels, the viewers must pay a yearly licensing fee, which (as of 1 April 2021) is £159 for a color TV license. There's also an option for a black-and-white license (£53.50) to accommodate households in England who still watch TV programs on black-and-white TV sets.
Cara 2 years ago
My gran was shocked to discover when she finally got a colour TV in the 80’s that Steve Davis was a red head, having only seen him in B&W on TV or in newspapers. We were more horrified that she had insisted on watching her beloved snooker in B&W for so long!
Julie Snelling 2 years ago
Can't beat watching snooker on a black and white TV
Load More Replies... ThisisEngland 2 years ago
The BBC have come under considerable criticism for hiding ped*philes like Jimmy saville and Rolf Harris for decades. I have no respect for "Aunty" knowing they did this and have never taken responsibility.
XenoMurph 2 years ago
Most large organisations did. The BBC news arm is still one of the best in the world.
Load More Replies... malaixa 2 years ago
Wow, I guess the BBC really means business when it comes to broadcasting. No wonder they don't need commercials, they have the entire population of England funding them through their TV license fees. And the fact that they still have a black-and-white license option? That's like stepping back in time! But hey, if it still works, why fix it?
Buncil 2 years ago
Lou need to learn the difference between Britain, England and the UK before commentating.
Load More Replies... #16
The highest point in England is Scafell Pike.
The following tidbit about England may interest thrill seekers. The Lake District is home to Scafell Pike, England's tallest mountain, with a peak elevation of 978 meters. In stormy weather, the steep climb might be dangerous; thus, it's crucial to be adequately prepared before going.
Thomas Bentley 2 years ago
they were going to try the three peaks in my school, but failed, because scafell pike was, in the teachers words, not worth it.
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
Ah that's a shame. You're welcome to join us and have a go without your class mates. Three peaks is tough. I'm more of a leisure trekker.
Load More Replies... Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago
Except in Britain it's a titbit; the term was Bowdlerised in the US to "tidbit".
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
I live in the lake District and scaw fell pike is just one of many fells to ramble about on. You get a great view at the top if the weather is nice with no low cloud. There is an inn at the bottom called the Wasdale Head where you can refresh yourself with real ales and home cooked food or a cup of tea if that's your poison.
Shark Lady 2 years ago
The Old Man of Coniston was Mt favourite, I didn't enjoy Scarfell at all!
Load More Replies... Kayjunmoon 2 years ago
Not really very high is it compared with other mountains even in Scotland.
#17
Shakespeare contributed over 1,700 words to the English language.
William Shakespeare, the most famous playwright in the world, contributed over 1,700 words to the English language, with many still used in modern English. As the value and importance of his work increased, more people started using correct word spellings. He also turned verbs into adjectives, adverbs, and compound words and added prefixes and suffixes to many terms.
Julie Snelling 2 years ago
My favourite expression he used is "What the dickens" which you would assume was something to do with Charles Dickens but it isn't.
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
I need to know what it relates to. Do you know or am I googling this?
Load More Replies... malaixa 2 years ago
Wow, Shakespeare really had a way with words! It's a good thing he didn't keep them all to himself, or we might not be able to express ourselves as eloquently today. It's impressive that so many of his contributions are still in use. I wonder if he would be surprised to hear people using his words and phrases hundreds of years later.
Chewie Baron 2 years ago
Also, this portrait, which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery just off Trafalgar Square, has never been fully confirmed that it is indeed a portrait of Shakespeare
#18
One of England’s national dishes is chicken tikka masala curry.
It's said that the mild tomato-cream sauce was added to chicken tikka, an Indian dish, by a Bangladeshi cook in Glasgow, Scotland, in the 1970s. The masala sauce, according to former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, "was added to satisfy the desire of British people to have their meat served in gravy." Hence, we could say that chicken tikka masala is one of the earliest well-recognized examples of fusion cooking.
Donkey boi 2 years ago
Who wrote this??? 'Yet, it was more likely...'??? Try both! It was created in Glasgow by an Indian man, and was inspired by the dishes he had back home in India.
ThisisEngland 2 years ago
We love a curry over here. One of the few good things to have come out of the time of the Raj.
#19
During the 18th and 19th centuries, debtors' prisons were common in England.
They were exclusive to those who ran up debt and could not repay it—they weren't considered criminals, though. Still, if they got into debt and couldn't repay it, their creditor could apply for them to be held in debtors' prison. They were detained until they—or a caring friend—paid off their debt or until they had completed their sentence. While they were free to do so, creditors very seldom forgave debts.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago (edited)
Because people realised it was a fuc*ing stupid idea to imprison someone who owes you money, on account of it prevents them working to pay you back.
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#20
Postage stamps were invented in England.
Also, sticking a stamp upside down is technically considered treason under the alleged old law that has never been revised. However, according to the Royal Mail, placing a stamp upside-down is perfectly acceptable, and no one has ever been punished.
Donkey boi 2 years ago
This one is a old wives' tale. It has never been illegal to place a stamp upside down and most certainly not be considered treason.
Chewie Baron 2 years ago
1840 was when the first stamp was sold, a Penny Black. Interestingly, the post box was designed/invented by the writer Anthony Trollope, who at the time was working for the Post Office.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
There is no longer a crime of treason in the UK - it was abolished in 1999.
Vix Spiderthrust 2 years ago (edited)
Wrong. The *death penalty* for treason was abolished. The Treason Act is still largely in force.
Load More Replies... #21
England is named after the Angles tribe. The Germanic Angles tribe settled in England in the early Anglo-Saxon era, approximately 98 AD. The clan spoke Old English, and the name England, which means "land of Engle," originates from them. Their name is also used for the region of East Anglia.
Pedantic Panda 2 years ago (edited)
Names of the names of the other Germanic tribes also live on, West Saxons -Wessex, South Saxons- Sussex, East Saxons - Essex.
Chewie Baron 2 years ago
There was also Middle Saxons - Middlesex. There was never a North Saxons, as North of London were the Vikings.
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#22
An Englishman invented the World Wide Web. In 1989, computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. He created the first web server and browser and helped develop the internet for widespread usage. In 1990, he published the first website, which was a brief guide to using the World Wide Web.
Hugh Cookson 2 years ago
Which, being English and a good human being, he decided to gift to humanity rather than patenting it and making a fortune. So, up yours Gates, Bezos, Musk and Zuckerberg ... thieving bastards.
a really far away planet 2 years ago (edited)
right, because whenever you file for a patent, that automatically makes you a bad person. solid logic indeed.
Load More Replies... Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
Technically, he invented the hypertext transport protocol, which powers the web (hence http at the start of web page addresses). One should also point out that he is another of the much-derided and apparently techno-phobic (according to social media, including this site) baby boomers.
a really far away planet 2 years ago (edited)
fr. if anything the generation before the boomers were technophobic
Load More Replies... #23
English is a Hybrid Language German, Dutch, French, Danish, Latin Greek, and Celtic languages have all been amalgamated into English. This is a result of the substantial role that each of these civilizations has played throughout English history, mainly due to invasions from mainland Europe.
Chewie Baron 2 years ago
We’ve also incorporated words from various Indian dialects, words like veranda, bungalow, jodhpurs, chukka, pyjamas etc, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, I could go on. Interestingly, one of the words in the Russian language for train station is Vauxhall. In the 19th Century, Russian nobles came over to learn various skills in building ships, trains, rail networks. They got off a train at Vauxhall station and saw the signs indicating the name of the station. They simply thought Vauxhall meant station. So they used it.
#24
The first underground passenger railway in the world was in England. One of the things the UK is known for is the London Underground. To ease traffic on the streets, London constructed the first underground railway in the world in 1863. These early underground railways first employed steam-powered trains.
Mirabelle Skyrim 2 years ago
Something that really shocked me at the time it happened, was how on earth escalators made of wood were still used in 1987. I'm referring to the King's Cross fire
#25
Æthelstan was the first King of England.
In the 10th century AD, King Æthelstan became the first monarch to govern over the territory now known as England. Æthelstan, regarded as one of the greatest Anglo-Saxon rulers, was Alfred the Great’s grandson and started the process that eventually led to Wessex annexing all the kingdoms and becoming England.
Mirabelle Skyrim 2 years ago
I'm a bit surprised there is no post mentioning that were it not for Alfred the Great aka Ælfred parts of what today is England might still be under Norse rule, at least according to a BBC (I think) documentary I watched some time ago.
#26
The offensive two-finger gesture originated in England. The Hundred Year’s War is where the vulgar “up yours” or V-sign gesture associated with the F-word first appeared. According to legend, English longbowmen cut off captured French archers’ index and middle fingers to prevent them from ever firing an arrow again. As they still had their fingers and were using them to destroy more Frenchmen, English archers would use the two-finger gesture to mock their foes in battle.
Pedantic Panda 2 years ago
Whilst I like this story I think it has been debunked as no contemporary sources mentioned it.
gerard julien 2 years ago
"This origin legend states that Welsh archers believed that those who were captured by the French had their index and middle fingers cut off so that they could no longer operate their longbows, and that the V sign was used by uncaptured and victorious archers in a display of defiance against the French. "
gerard julien 2 years ago
"In conflict with this origin myth, the chronicler Jean de Wavrin, contemporary of the battle, reported that Henry V mentioned in a pre-battle speech that the French were said to be threatening to cut off three fingers (not two) from captured bowmen. Neither Wavrin nor any contemporary author reported the threat was ever carried out after that nor other battles, nor did they report anything concerning a gesture of defiance."
Load More Replies... Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
According to QI, this wasn't even in use prior to the 1970s - an an example, Winston Churchill's use of it to mean V for victory. There's also debate as to whether the F word actually existed before the 17th century, 200 years after said war.
a really far away planet 2 years ago (edited)
i'm pretty sure that the f-word (and s-word) both originated in english around old english, there's reasonable evidence for that
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#27
Three lions are England’s national symbol.
A standard with three gold lions on a crimson background used on the battlefield to encourage the troops dates back to the 12th century. The first came from Henry I, also known as the lion of England, who, upon assuming power in 1100, had a lion on his standard. Soon after, he wed Adeliza, whose father's shield had a lion. To mark the occasion, he added a second lion to his standard. When Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1154, who—you guessed it—also had a lion on her family crest, there were now three lions.
Thomas Bentley 2 years ago
Some people were saying they were leopards, is that true? if not, where did that come from.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
According to Wikipedia: Although in England the official blazon refers to lions, French heralds historically used the term leopard to represent the lion passant guardant, and hence the lions of England are often called leopards. Without doubt the same animal was intended, but different names were given according to the animal's pose; in later times the name lion was given to both.
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#28
You can reach England from France through an underwater tunnel. High-speed rail service known as the Eurostar links the Netherlands, Belgium, and France to England. It takes up to 3 hours to go from Paris to London via train. The train also goes through the Channel Tunnel, which runs underwater and is 31.5 miles long or 50.45 km. And to answer everyone's question: no, you can't actually see the sea from the Eurostar, which may be a bit of a letdown.
#29
It does rain a lot in England.
It's not a cliché that it does rain a lot in England. Yet, some parts of England are drier than others, so applying it to the whole country isn't factual. Throughout the past three decades, there has been variation in the yearly number of rainy days in the UK. In 2021, there were 148.7 days when at least 1 mm of rain fell. The most days with rain on record were 178.5 in 2000.
James Twong 2 years ago
Looks like it's been compiled by an American who has no clue about the distinction between England, Great Britain or the UK.
Load More Replies... Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
There was a point a few years ago when Kent had less water per head than Syria.
Julie Snelling 2 years ago
Yep I live in Kent there seems to be a drought ever summer.
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#30
England has a free at the point of use National Health Service. The National Health Service (NHS), established in 1948, is one of England's most cherished achievements. Taxes are used to pay for it, and residents are not charged when the necessary medical service is delivered. This implies that everything is free at the point of use, including ambulance journeys, ER visits, lengthy hospital stays, complex surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy.
James016 2 years ago
It is not free. It is free at the point of use. That distinction needs to be made clearer in general. The first sentence is factually wrong
Natasha MUA 2 years ago
Free at the point of use. We do pay for the NHS via taxes and national insurance that comes out of. Our wages, BUT it's still a hell of a lot cheaper than private health care and I'm so. Glad we have it
Spencer's slave 2 years ago
Taxes don't pay for it, National Insurance contributions pay for it.
Roman Spruce 2 years ago
I wish the United States' ACA was as good. In recent years we've added to the amount of people that are eligible to join, but it's still expensive over here. Maybe one day it will turn into universal healthcare.
#31
England still uses imperial measures. Although the metric system is often used in business and technology, most of the population still primarily utilizes imperial units. All UK roadways utilize the imperial system except weight restrictions and modern height or width restriction signage.
Cara 2 years ago
The only items you are legally allowed to sell in imperial measurements are draught beer or cider by pint, milk in returnable containers by pint, precious metals by troy ounce. Everything else has to be in metric (unless you’re in Northern Ireland). Sadly, you can’t measure length using bananas. We could start a petition though…
Bill McDowall 2 years ago
I'd sign, but are you aware that the the metric banana is slightly longer than the imperial one (by just over a centiban, if you need to know)!i
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Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
I do wonder how long football pundits will refer to players as being a yard offside, or missing the goal by inches. There are first-choice international players born in this century who still refer to the game in these terms.
#32
It can be illegal to be drunk in a pub in England.
Many people are guilty of having one too many at their local bar. As unbelievable as it may sound, there is a rule in England that actually forbids drunkenness at pubs—the one place where you are, in theory, allowed to be drunk. “Every person found drunk... on any licensed premises, shall be liable to a penalty,” reads the Licensing Act of 1872’s Section 12. In theory, if you are caught drunk in a bar or other public area, you might be fined £200.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
Not just drunk - you have to be drunk and disorderly in order to be subject to prosecution.
jai putman 2 years ago
Not so, you can be held drunk and incapable. As a former bartender, I can honestly say that refusing service to ahole customers was a highlight of the job, as most pub managers leave it to the staffs discretion
Load More Replies... Bill McDowall 2 years ago
But as pub manager, it is illegal to serve someone who is drunk! It's to protect those who don't know their limitations.
Alison Hobbs 2 years ago
It is the publican's duty to refuse service to anyone who is drunk. A few years ago a publican served a drunken man who, on leaving the pub, fell and hit his head on the ground resulting in his death. The publican was prosecuted for and found guilty of manslaughter.
Dizzie D 2 years ago
Is this rule being confused with being completely off your face, falling on the floor drunk and very disorderly and needing the police to arrive? Or is it just general drunkenness? Good luck with that rule if it's about being just 'drunk' as that accounts for about 80% of British pub customers on a Saturday evening. The rest of us just sit and watch them slurring and drooling. I don't know many pubs in the U.K. that enforce that law unless someone is being a complete twat.
#33
The first record of Morris dance dates back to 1448. Since it has been practiced there for more than 500 years, the Morris dance is uniquely England's specialty. Although it is noted that it is ceremonial rather than social in nature, it is typically referred to as a type of folk dance, which can be performed solo or in a pair. The dancers may also use props like sticks, swords, and handkerchiefs.
Apatheist Account2 2 years ago
It's not something we're particularly proud of...more of a national embarrassment and subject of ridicule, practised by a very small minority. Most of us would rather have the Haka, or even Riverdance, as a national dance.
Alecto76 2 years ago (edited)
I googled. Its no worse than square dancing we learned in gym (US). We can be lame together on this.
Load More Replies... Hugh Cookson 2 years ago
Morris dancing has been going a bloody sight longer than 500 years !!! The first RECORD might have been in 1448 but I'll bet you a pound to a pinch of dogshit that it was being practised waaaay before then !!
#34
Old houses in England have separate taps for hold and cold water.
The old plumbing system initially only provided cold water directly from the networks. So when the need for hot water arose, people had to install a separate outlet for it. However, there's also a safety reason behind it. The reason for having a separate tank for cold water is to ensure the drinkable water's purity. This is because the hot water in the tank may have been sitting for a long time and could be contaminated. While introducing new fast boilers that do not require a standing tank is making this practice obsolete, it's still a relatively recent development.
Ace 2 years ago
Another factor was that with lead piping the hot water would leach a lot of the lead into the supply. Lead poisoning was understood, so when I was little we were taught to never use the hot water tap for cooking or drinking water, and to always run the cold tap for a minute or so to clear out any water that had been sitting in the pipes fir some time. Old habits that I still adhere to today.
Spencer's slave 2 years ago
Hang on a bloody minute, two separate taps for hot and cold water are used around the world. It's not " peculiar" to England/the UK etc. and it's been around for donkeys. New houses are still being built with hot and cold taps. If we're going to state "facts" at least get it right. Oh, and Brits, in the can actually drink the tap water.
Spencer's slave 2 years ago
Lol not "in the can", just simply can drink the tap water.
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What do you think ?
James Twong 2 years ago
How embarrassing for the poster that they are largely ignorant of what they're writing about.
James Twong 2 years ago
How embarrassing for the poster that they are largely ignorant of what they're writing about.
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