True-born Englishman
When I hear someone claiming to be a ‘true Englishman’ I smile somewhat mirthlessly and sigh. There’s no such thing. It is an example of ‘English cultural xenophobia’, a lovely phrase I’ve just picked up from Daniel Defoe, which perfectly describes the attitude of so many of my compatriots.
'The True-Born Englishman' was written by Daniel Defoe in 1701.
Among our many forebears are the Britons, who came from Armenia, the Beaker people from Iberia, who built Stonehenge, the Celts from central Europe and the Romans, twice, in 55-54 BC, and AD 43- 87. Following this came the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted until the Norman invasion of 1066-1071. Norman rule lasted from AD 1066 to 1154, the time of the Anarchy, the civil war between England and Normandy.
Thereafter, England remained in ‘English’ hands, some of doubtful lineage, until the Dutch Prince William of Orange was asked to take the throne. He reigned from 1689 – 1702, alongside his wife, Mary, who died in 1694.
Daniel
Defoe (1660-1731) wrote a satirical poem to defend William III against the xenophobic attacks of his political foes.
The following extract encapsulates his stance.
Thus from a Mixture of all Kinds began,
That Het'rogeneous Thing, An Englishman:
In eager Rapes, and furious Lust begot,
Betwixt a Painted Britain and a Scot.
Whose gend'ring Off-spring quickly learn'd to Bow,
And yoke their Heifers to the Roman Plough:
From whence a Mongrel half-Bred Race there came,
With neither Name, nor Nation, Speech or Fame.
In whose hot Veins new Mixtures quickly ran,
Infus'd betwixt a Saxon and a Dane.
While their Rank Daughters, to their Parents just,
Receiv'd all nations with promiscuous lust.
This Nauseous Brood directly did contain
The well extracted Blood of Englishmen.
Thus, as I have always contended, we English are a mongrel race and mongrels are often stronger than purebreds J
Interesting lineage and I suspect the same is true of almost every other country.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. Your country is a rich mix of nations.
Deletewow and hasn't that xenophobia done some recent damage to a country which has always relied on those coming from the outside ? The rest of the world has looked on in utter bemusement while the Brits have been destroying their economy with Brexit . Just unbelievable . I think Boris and some of the other lights of the current government will not be looked on favorably by history .
ReplyDeleteJohnson still hankers after fame. What he has achieved is infamy. Brexit? What an unholy mess. I despair.
DeleteI'll go with River. There would be very few countries, if any, made up of just one race, and even that race would have to start somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIt's part of human nature to travel afar and settle, sometimes after invasion and conquest.
DeleteWhat first World country isn't totally mixed nowadays? I really can't think of one unless it's places so restrictive that no one is allowed to become a citizen (and, maybe, no-one wants to).
ReplyDeleteI love that poem. xx
I agree, Joy. Our country would be a lot poorer without the input from so many centuries of conquerors and immigrants.
DeleteI think we're all a mix, and if you look at the royalty, they're all of German descent, thanks to Queen Victoria! When my parents got married they had to prove that there was no Jew in the family up to the 3rd generation !!
ReplyDeleteGerman, Greek, Danish - a right royal mix!
DeleteHi Janice - what an interesting post - excellent read ... and I love his poem (or extract therefrom) - thank you... brilliant read this morning. I have one of Defoe's book here - I think on his travels ... but now I must find it. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteDefoe was a most interesting character, I think.
ReplyDelete