england england country united_kingdom shares land borders scotland north wales west irish sea lies northwest england celtic sea lies southwest england separated continental europe north_sea east english channel south country covers central southern island great_britain lies north_atlantic includes smaller islands isles isle area called england inhabited modern humans upper period takes angles tribes settled 5th 6th centuries england unified state 10th century age discovery began 15th century significant cultural legal impact wider world english language anglican church english law basis common law legal systems countries world developed england country parliamentary system government widely adopted nations industrial revolution began 18th century england transforming society world nation england terrain comprises low hills plains especially central southern england north example mountainous lake district yorkshire south west example capital london largest metropolitan area united_kingdom european_union england population million comprises population united_kingdom largely concentrated london south east north west north east yorkshire developed major industrial regions 19th century kingdom england included wales ceased separate sovereign state acts union effect terms agreed treaty union previous year resulting political union kingdom scotland create kingdom great_britain great_britain united kingdom ireland act union united_kingdom great_britain ireland irish free state united_kingdom leading renamed united_kingdom great_britain northern_ireland england derived old english means land angles angles tribes settled great_britain early middle ages angles came peninsula bay kiel area baltic_sea earliest recorded use term late ninth century translation old english ecclesiastical history english people term different sense modern meaning land inhabited english included english people south east scotland english kingdom anglo saxon chronicle recorded book covered england meaning english kingdom years later chronicle stated king iii went ancient sense according oxford english dictionary modern spelling earliest attested reference angles occurs 1st century work latin word etymology tribal disputed scholars suggested derives shape peninsula angular shape term derived tribe significant came entire country people known related custom calling people britain english scottish language developed island great_britain saxon tribe gave word england similarly welsh english language alternative england originally referred entire island great_britain nominally earliest record appears corpus specifically 4th century pillars hercules ocean flows round earth large islands called modern scholarly consensus aristotle pseudo aristotle written later roman period word possible origins derives latin meaning white reference white cliffs dover britain visible european continent phrase island lost attested presumably served source applied england poetic capacity romantic england related welsh word england popular use legend history antiquity earliest known evidence human presence area known england dating approximately years ago oldest human bones discovered england date years ago modern humans known inhabited area upper period permanent settlements established years ice age large mammals remained roughly years ago ice sheets began humans area genetic research suggests came northern peninsula sea level lower britain connected land bridge ireland seas rose separated ireland years ago later culture arrived introducing drinking food vessels constructed clay vessels reduction copper time major monuments constructed heating tin copper abundance area culture people bronze later iron iron development iron allowed construction better advancing agriculture instance celtic fields production effective weapons iron age celtic culture cultures arrived central europe spoken language time society tribal according tribes area earlier divisions unknown like regions edge empire britain long enjoyed trading links romans roman republic attempted invade twice largely unsuccessful managed set client king romans invaded britain reign emperor subsequently conquering britain area incorporated roman empire province best known native tribes attempted resist led later uprising led queen ended suicide following defeat battle street era saw roman culture prevail introduction roman law roman architecture agricultural items silk 3rd century emperor died york constantine subsequently proclaimed emperor debate christianity introduced later 4th century probably earlier according missionaries sent rome request britain settle differences eastern western disturbing church traditions linked claiming introduction joseph claim britain decline roman empire britain left exposed end roman rule britain withdrawal roman army units defend continental europe civil wars celtic christian monastic missionary movements flourished patrick 5th century ireland 6th century david wales period christianity influenced ancient celtic culture practices theology local congregations centred monastic community monastic leaders like peers system roman dominated church middle ages roman military left britain open invasion pagan warriors north western continental europe chiefly angles long raided coasts roman province began settle initially eastern country advance contained decades victory battle mount subsequently resumed running fertile britain reducing area control series separate rugged country west end 6th century contemporary texts describing period extremely scarce giving rise description dark age nature progression anglo saxon settlement britain consequently subject considerable disagreement roman dominated christianity general disappeared conquered territories reintroduced missionaries rome led onwards disputes celtic dominated forms christianity ended victory roman tradition council ostensibly date easter significantly differences roman celtic forms authority theology practice settlement period lands ruled fragmented numerous tribal territories 7th century substantial evidence situation available roughly dozen kingdoms including east essex kent sussex following centuries process political consolidation continued 7th century saw struggle 8th century gave way early 9th century displaced foremost kingdom later century escalating attacks culminated conquest north east england kingdoms east alfred great left surviving english kingdom successors steadily expanded expense kingdoms brought political unification england accomplished definitively established conflicts fresh wave scandinavian attacks late 10th century ended conquest united_kingdom son turning centre short lived north_sea empire included denmark norway native royal dynasty restored accession edward dispute succession edward led norman conquest england accomplished army led duke william normandy originated scandinavia settled normandy late 9th early 10th centuries conquest led total english elite replacement new french speaking aristocracy speech profound permanent effect english language subsequently house inherited english throne henry_ii adding england empire family inherited france including reigned centuries noted monarchs richard edward edward iii henry period saw changes trade legislation including signing english legal charter limit sovereign powers law protect privileges catholic flourished providing philosophers universities oxford cambridge founded royal patronage wales 13th century ireland given english monarchy pope 14th century house claimed legitimate house france powers clashed years war black death epidemic hit england starting eventually killed half england inhabitants civil war occurred branches royal family known wars roses eventually led losing throne entirely welsh noble family branch headed henry tudor invaded welsh mercenaries gaining victory battle field king richard iii killed early modern tudor period renaissance reached england italian reintroduced artistic educational scholarly debate classical antiquity england began develop naval skills exploration west intensified henry_viii broke communion catholic_church issues relating divorce acts supremacy proclaimed monarch head church_of_england contrast european roots split political theological legally incorporated ancestral land wales kingdom england acts internal religious conflicts reigns henry daughters mary elizabeth took country catholicism broke asserting supremacy competing spain english colony americas founded explorer walter virginia named colony failed known lost colony found abandoned return late arriving supply ship east india company england competed dutch french east period english fleet francis drake defeated invading spanish political structure island changed king scots james kingdom longtime rival english interests inherited throne england james creating personal union styled king great_britain basis english law auspices king james authorised king james version holy bible published ranked shakespeare works greatest masterpiece literature english language standard version bible read protestant christians years modern revisions produced 20th century based conflicting political religious social positions english civil war fought supporters parliament king charles known colloquially respectively interwoven wider wars kingdoms involving scotland ireland victorious charles executed kingdom replaced commonwealth leader parliament forces oliver declared lord protector period personal rule followed death resignation son richard lord protector charles_ii invited return monarch called restoration glorious revolution established king parliament rule parliament real power established bill rights statutes set law parliament suspended king king impose taxes raise army prior approval parliament time british monarch entered house_of_commons sitting annually commemorated state opening parliament british monarch doors house_of_commons slammed face monarch messenger rights parliament independence monarch founding royal society science greatly encouraged great fire london city london rebuilt shortly significant buildings designed sir christopher parliament factions emerged initially supported catholic king james deposed revolution invited dutch prince william orange william iii english people especially north continued support james sons england scotland agreed countries joined political union create kingdom great_britain accommodate union institutions law national churches remained separate late modern contemporary newly formed kingdom great_britain output royal society english initiatives combined scottish enlightenment create innovations science engineering enormous growth british overseas trade protected royal_navy paved way establishment british_empire domestically drove industrial revolution period profound change cultural conditions england resulting agriculture manufacture engineering mining new pioneering road rail water networks facilitate expansion development opening northwest england canal canal age britain world permanent steam locomotive hauled passenger railway railway opened public industrial revolution workers moved england countryside new expanding urban industrial areas work factories instance manchester birmingham dubbed warehouse city workshop world respectively england maintained relative stability french revolution william younger british prime minister reign george iii napoleonic wars napoleon planned invade south east failed manifest napoleonic forces defeated british sea lord nelson land duke wellington napoleonic wars fostered concept united national british people shared scots welsh london largest populous metropolitan area world victorian era trade british_empire standing british military navy prestigious political home enabled legislative reform universal suffrage power shifts east central europe led world war hundreds thousands english soldiers died fighting united_kingdom allies decades later world war united_kingdom allies end war winston_churchill wartime prime minister developments warfare technology saw cities damaged air raids blitz following war british_empire experienced rapid speeding technological innovations automobiles primary means transport frank development jet engine led wider air travel residential patterns altered england private creation national health service provided publicly funded health care permanent residents free point need paid general taxation combined changes prompted reform local government england mid-20th century 20th century significant population movement england parts british isles commonwealth particularly indian 1970s large away manufacturing increasing emphasis service industry united_kingdom area joined common market initiative called european economic community european_union late 20th century administration united_kingdom moved governance scotland wales northern_ireland england wales continues exist jurisdiction united_kingdom stimulated greater emphasis english specific identity patriotism english government attempt create similar system sub regional basis rejected referendum governance politics united_kingdom basic political system england constitutional monarchy parliamentary system government england acts union putting effect terms treaty union joined england scotland form kingdom great_britain union england ruled monarch parliament england today england governed directly parliament united_kingdom countries united_kingdom governments house_of_commons lower house british parliament based palace westminster members parliament mps england total united_kingdom general election conservative party won absolute majority contested seats seats parties combined speaker house counted conservative conservative party headed prime minister david cameron won seats labour_party leader subsequently stood scottish national party scotland won scottish seats house_of_commons replacing liberal democrats largest party overall united_kingdom member european_union elections held england decide sent members european parliament european parliament election saw regions england elect following independence party conservatives labour liberal democrat countries united_kingdom scotland wales northern_ireland parliament assemblies local issues debate england originally planned regions england following proposal rejection north east referendum carried major issue west question mps scotland wales able vote legislation affecting england english mps equivalent right matters placed context england country united_kingdom free cancer treatment residential care elderly free university fees led steady rise english nationalism suggested creation english parliament proposed simply limiting voting legislation affects england english mps law english law legal system developed centuries basis common law legal systems commonwealth countries united_states louisiana despite united_kingdom legal system courts england wales continued treaty union separate legal system scotland general essence english law judges sitting courts applying common sense knowledge legal precedent facts court system headed senior courts england wales consisting court appeal high_court justice civil cases crown court criminal cases supreme_court united_kingdom highest court criminal civil cases england wales created constitutional changes taking judicial functions house_of_lords decision supreme_court binding court hierarchy follow directions crime increased fell period prison population doubled period giving highest rate western_europe majesty prison service reporting ministry justice manages prisons housing regions counties districts subdivisions england consist levels division controlled variety types administrative entities created purposes local government highest tier local government regions england north east north west yorkshire east west east south east south west london created government offices government deliver wide range policies programmes elected bodies level london regional government offices abolished boundaries remain use members european parliament regional basis began place parts united_kingdom planned regions england place elected regional assemblies london accepted london assembly created years later proposal rejected northern england north east cancelled regional assemblies outside london abolished functions transferred respective regional development agencies new system local authority leaders boards regional level england divided ceremonial counties primarily geographical frame reference developed gradually middle ages established recently lord lieutenant high sheriff posts represent british monarch locally outside greater london isles england divided metropolitan non metropolitan counties correspond areas purposes local government consist single district divided metropolitan counties based heavily areas county councils areas principal authorities councils subdivisions metropolitan non metropolitan counties county council divided districts district council typically found rural areas remaining non metropolitan counties single district usually correspond large towns sparsely populated counties known authorities greater london different system local government london plus city london covering small area core governed city london corporation level england divided civil parishes councils exist greater london geography landscape rivers geographically england includes central southern thirds island great_britain plus offshore islands isle isles bordered countries united_kingdom north scotland west wales england closer european continent mainland britain separated france mile sea gap countries connected channel tunnel near england shores irish sea north_sea atlantic_ocean ports london liverpool newcastle lie tidal rivers thames respectively miles longest river flowing england bristol channel notable bore tidal waves reach metres height longest river entirely england thames miles length lakes england largest named lake district geological terms known backbone england oldest range mountains country originating end era million years ago geological composition includes sandstone limestone coal landscapes areas parts yorkshire landscape high areas fertile valleys region rivers contain national parks yorkshire northumberland peak district highest point england metres pike border england scotland hills english south consisting green rolling hills including hills hills north south downs meet sea form white rock cliffs dover granite southwest peninsula west country includes enjoys mild climate national parks climate england temperate maritime climate mild temperatures lower winter higher summer weather damp relatively frequently months january february particularly english coast july normally month months mild warm weather june september october rainfall spread fairly evenly year important influences climate england proximity atlantic_ocean northern latitude warming sea gulf stream rainfall higher west parts lake district receive rain country weather records began highest temperature recorded august kent lowest january major greater london urban area far largest urban area england busiest cities world considered global city population larger countries united_kingdom england urban areas considerable size influence tend northern england english settlements designated city status england wider united_kingdom cities england large size birmingham sheffield manchester liverpool leeds newcastle nottingham large population necessarily settlement afforded city status traditionally status afforded towns smaller cities like wells according office national statistics largest continuous built urban areas economy england economy largest world average capita usually regarded mixed market economy adopted free market principles maintains advanced social welfare infrastructure official currency england pound sterling code taxation england competitive compared rest europe basic rate personal tax income personal tax free normally additional earnings economy england largest economy 18th highest capita world england leader chemical sectors key technical industries particularly arms industry manufacturing software industry london home london stock exchange united_kingdom main stock exchange largest europe england financial centre europe largest corporations based london london largest financial centre europe second largest world bank england founded scottish banker william united_kingdom central bank originally established private banker government england state owned institution bank monopoly issue england wales parts united_kingdom government responsibility bank monetary policy committee managing monetary policy country setting interest rates england highly 1970s decline traditional heavy manufacturing industries increasing emphasis service industry oriented economy tourism significant industry attracting millions visitors england year export economy dominated cars english foreign owned land lotus jaguar crude oil petroleum english parts north_sea oil farm aircraft engines alcoholic billion industry primarily based england wings designed manufactured world leading facility expert metallic composite involved civil military fixed wing aircraft production based systems makes large sections typhoon sub assembly plant aircraft raf plant near preston principal joint strike fighter world largest single defence project designs range components including aft fuselage vertical horizontal tail wing tips fuel system hawk world successful jet training aircraft rolls world second largest engine manufacturer engines power types commercial aircraft engines currently service civil defence sectors workforce people derby largest concentration rolls employees rolls produces low power systems ships makes critical equipment safety systems nuclear industry powers offshore platforms major oil gas industry space industry centred based portsmouth company builds buses underlying structure propulsion systems built european space agency spacecraft commercial satellites world leader compact satellite systems surrey satellites reaction engines limited company planning build single stage orbit sabre rocket engine combined cycle air breathing rocket propulsion system based agriculture intensive highly producing food needs labour force thirds production devoted livestock crops science technology prominent english figures field science mathematics include sir newton michael robert robert joseph charles charles darwin stephen christopher francis joseph tim lee paul andrew richard experts claim earliest concept metric system invented john secretary royal society birthplace industrial revolution england home significant late 18th early 19th centuries famous english engineers include kingdom best known creation great western railway series famous numerous important bridges public transport modern day engineering thomas steam engine helped spawn industrial revolution father railways george built public inter city railway line world liverpool manchester railway opened role marketing manufacturing steam engine invention modern matthew business partner james regarded influential history physician edward smallpox said saved lives lost wars mankind beginning recorded history discoveries english include jet engine industrial spinning machine computer modern computer world wide web successful human blood vacuum cleaner lawn seat belt electric motor steam engines theories theory evolution atomic theory newton developed ideas universal mechanics robert named law include iron plate railway rubber band cat eye road marker joint development light steam locomotives modern seed drill modern techniques technologies precision engineering transport department transport government body responsible overseeing transport england england trunk roads great north road runs eastern england london newcastle section motorway onward scottish border longest motorway england rugby north west anglo scottish border distance miles major routes include london leeds london manchester london south wales liverpool manchester east yorkshire birmingham bristol south west bus transport country widespread major companies include national express ahead group red double buses london symbol england rapid rail network english cities london underground wear metro newcastle networks manchester sheffield midland metro system centred south london rail transport england oldest world passenger railways originated england britain miles rail network lies england covering country fairly extensively high proportion railway lines closed second half 20th century plans reopen lines varsity line oxford cambridge lines standard gauge single double quadruple track narrow gauge lines rail transport access france belgium rail link channel tunnel completed england extensive domestic international aviation links largest airport london world busiest airport measured number international passengers large airports include manchester airport london airport airport birmingham airport sea ferry transport local international including ireland netherlands belgium miles waterways england half owned canal river trust water transport limited thames major england imports exports focused port thames estuary united_kingdom major ports healthcare national health service publicly funded healthcare system england responsible providing majority healthcare country began july putting effect provisions national health service act based findings report prepared economist social reformer william largely funded general taxation including national insurance payments provides services free point use charges people eye tests dental care aspects personal care government department responsible department health headed secretary state health sits british cabinet expenditure department health spent billion spent recent years private sector increasingly provide services despite opposition doctors trade unions average life people england years males years females highest countries united_kingdom population million inhabitants england far populous country united_kingdom accounting combined total england taken unit measured international states fourth largest population european_union 25th largest country population world density people square kilometre second densely populated country european_union malta english people british people genetic evidence suggests descend paternal line prehistoric settlers originally came peninsula contribution angles significant scandinavian viking element place estimate half time cultures influential prehistoric roman anglo saxon viking north cultures large influence english parts british_empire especially united_states canada australia south_africa new_zealand late 1990s english people migrated spain book compiled england population million cent lived urban areas population grown million grown million particular economic prosperity south east england received economic migrants parts united_kingdom significant irish migration proportion european residents totals including germans poles people british colonies arrived 1950s particular people living england family origins indian india pakistan bangladesh population black caribbean countries africa especially british colonies significant number chinese british chinese primary school children england ethnic minority families figure half population increase immigration debate immigration politically prominent according home office poll people want cap projected population grow million language suggests english language today spoken hundreds millions people world originated language england remains principal tongue spoken population european language anglo branch family norman conquest old english language displaced confined lower social classes norman french latin aristocracy 15th century english fashion classes changed middle english form showed signs french influence vocabulary spelling english renaissance words coined latin greek origins modern english extended custom flexibility comes incorporating words different languages thanks large british_empire english language world unofficial english language learning teaching important economic activity includes language schooling tourism spending publishing legislation official language england english language official business despite country relatively small size distinct regional accents individuals particularly strong accents easily understood country english england indigenous languages welsh died community language 18th century revived protected european charter regional minority languages spoken people cornwall taught degree primary secondary schools modern border wales england established laws wales acts welsh speaking communities found english border welsh spoken nineteenth century welsh spoken natives parts western middle twentieth century later state schools teach students second language usually french german spanish immigration reported school students spoke foreign language home common following census data released office national statistics figures polish main language spoken england english religion according census population christian non religious muslim population belongs religions answer christianity widely practised religion england early middle ages introduced earlier roman times celtic church gradually joined catholic hierarchy following 6th century mission kent led established church_of_england church_of_england left communion rome henry_viii unable divorce aunt king spain religion regards catholic reformed high church low church traditions regard anglo catholics following movement monarch united_kingdom supreme governor church million baptised members vast majority regular forms anglican communion archbishop_of_canterbury acting symbolic worldwide head parish churches historic buildings significant architectural importance westminster abbey york durham cathedral salisbury cathedral 2nd largest christian practice latin rite catholic_church catholic emancipation church organised england wales basis million members english pope england date adrian saints regarded doctors church form known largest christian practice grew john gained popularity mill towns lancashire yorkshire tin miners cornwall non minorities salvation army patron saint england saint george symbolic cross included flag england union flag combination english associated saints best known edward john fisher thomas margaret thomas non christian religions practised jews history small minority island expelled england following expulsion allowed especially 1950s religions british colonies grown numbers immigration islam common accounting population england buddhism number adding combined introduced india south east asia small minority population practice ancient pagan religions united_kingdom primarily represented religions according census roughly people identify pagan england wales including england wales education department education government department responsible issues affecting people england age including education state run state funded schools attended approximately english minority faith schools primarily church_of_england roman catholic schools children ages attend nursery early years foundation stage reception unit primary school children ages attend primary school secondary school attended aged finishing compulsory education students examinations students opt continue education years education colleges particularly sixth form colleges form secondary school site level examinations sat large number education students form basis application university english secondary schools comprehensive areas selective intake grammar schools entrance subject passing plus exam english attend private schools funded private sources standards state schools monitored office standards education private schools independent schools higher education students normally attend university age onwards study academic degree universities england public institutions department business innovation skills government department responsible higher education england students generally entitled student loans cover cost tuition fees living costs degree offered bachelor degree usually takes years complete students able work degree usually takes year doctorate takes years england universities include highest ranked universities world cambridge_university imperial college london oxford_university university college london king college london ranked global world university rankings london school economics described world leading social science institution teaching research london business school considered world leading business schools programme ranked best world financial times academic degrees england usually split classes class 1st upper second class lower second class 3rd king school canterbury king school rochester oldest schools english speaking world england known schools winchester college paul school school rugby school fee paying institutions culture architecture ancient standing stone monuments erected prehistoric period best known devil arrows introduction ancient roman architecture development arches roman temples roman roads roman forts romans founded cities towns london bath york chester best known example wall stretching right northern england preserved example roman bath somerset early medieval architecture secular buildings simple constructions mainly timber ecclesiastical architecture ranged synthesis saxon early christian architecture characterised strips blank shafts triangular headed openings norman conquest castles england created law lords uphold authority north protect invasion best known medieval castles tower london castle durham castle windsor castle era english gothic architecture flourished medieval canterbury cathedral westminster abbey york prime examples expanding norman base castles palaces great houses universities parish churches medieval architecture completed 16th century tudor style centred arch known tudor arch defining feature houses domestically aftermath renaissance form architecture echoing classical antiquity christianity appeared english baroque style architect christopher particularly championed georgian architecture followed refined style simple form royal crescent bath best examples emergence victorian period gothic revival launched addition time industrial revolution paved way buildings crystal palace 1930s modernist forms appeared reception controversial resistance movements continue support influential places folklore english folklore developed centuries characters stories present england belong specific regions common beings include giants legends folk customs thought ancient instance tales featuring angel smith date norman invasion robin hood merry men battles sheriff nottingham best known high middle ages tales originating traditions entered english folklore myth derived anglo norman welsh french sources featuring king arthur knights round table stories centrally brought history kings britain early figure british tradition king cole based real figure sub roman britain tales pseudo histories wider matter britain collection shared british folklore folk figures based semi actual historical people story passed centuries lady instance said ridden naked horseback wake heroic english figure resisting norman invasion hunter equestrian ghost associated windsor forest great park mother witch november people set fireworks eat commemoration gunpowder plot centred guy dick recurring character pirate national regional folk activities participated day morris dancing dancing rapper sword north east long sword dance yorkshire plays bottle kicking cheese rolling cooper hill official national costume established kings queens associated royal guard morris costume cuisine early modern period food england historically characterised simplicity approach reliance high quality natural produce middle ages renaissance period english cuisine enjoyed excellent reputation decline began industrial revolution away land increasing populace cuisine england recently undergone revival recognised food critics good ratings restaurant best restaurant world charts early book english recipes royal court richard traditional examples english food include sunday featuring joint usually beef lamb chicken pork served vegetables yorkshire prominent meals include fish chips english breakfast generally consisting bacon tomatoes fried bread black baked beans mushrooms eggs meat consumed kidney pie pie cottage pie pork pie usually eaten cold commonly eaten mash hole lancashire known northwest popular red leicester blue anglo indian hybrid dishes created chicken traditional english dishes include apple pie fruit spotted dick generally served recently sticky sweet include plain containing dried fruit served jam cream dried fruit wide range sweet common drinks include tea popularity increased catherine whilst frequently consumed alcoholic drinks include english bitter mild stout brown visual arts earliest known examples prehistoric rock cave art pieces prominent north yorkshire northumberland feature south example arrival roman culture 1st century forms art statues norm numerous surviving artefacts early middle ages style favoured sculpted crosses manuscript painting gold jewellery demonstrating love intricate interwoven designs discovered blended styles later gothic art popular winchester canterbury examples survive tudor era saw prominent artists court portrait painting remain enduring english art boosted german natives nicholas built continental artists influential especially flemish examples period include anthony van peter william 18th century time significance founding royal academy based high renaissance prevailed thomas england artists school continued landscape tradition pre brotherhood vivid detailed style revived early renaissance style hunt john leaders prominent 20th century artists henry moore regarded voice british sculpture british general contemporary painters include work benefits supervisor sleeping set world record sale value painting living artist literature poetry philosophy early authors wrote latin period old english literature provided epic poem secular prose anglo saxon chronicle christian writings hymn following norman conquest latin continued educated classes anglo norman literature middle english literature emerged author canterbury tales pearl poet william roger bacon major philosophers middle ages julian wrote revelations divine love prominent christian mystic english renaissance literature early modern english style appeared william_shakespeare works include hamlet romeo juliet night dream remains championed authors english literature christopher philip sydney thomas john ben established authors age francis bacon thomas wrote including scientific method social contract wrote divine right kings best known poet commonwealth john authored paradise lost restoration prominent philosophers enlightenment john thomas samuel johnson radical elements later countered regarded founder poet alexander pope satirical verse regarded english played significant role samuel taylor lord john mary william blake william major figures response industrial revolution writers sought way liberty tradition william main founder guild socialism arthur cooperative movement advocate cole somewhat related continued john stuart mill russell bernard williams involved authors victorian era include charles sisters jane george thomas hardy wells lewis england continued produce george lawrence virginia lewis terry performing arts traditional folk music england centuries old contributed genres prominently sea dance music distinct variations regional printed ballads robin hood 16th century important john dancing master robert ballads collections best known songs good company spanish ladies nursery rhymes english origin little star roses red jack london bridge falling grand old duke york hey traditional english christmas include wish merry christmas god rest merry gentlemen early english composers classical music include renaissance artists thomas william followed henry baroque period german born george british subject spent composing life london creating known works classical music water music music royal fireworks coronation anthems priest composed coronation george performed subsequent british coronation traditionally sovereign revival profile composers england 20th century led edward benjamin frederick williams present day composers england include michael best known piano andrew lloyd musicals achieved enormous success west end worldwide field popular music english bands solo artists cited influential best selling musicians time acts beatles led pink floyd elton_john queen rod stewart rolling_stones highest selling recording artists world musical genres origins strong associations england british invasion progressive rock hard rock glam rock heavy metal indie rock gothic rock acid house garage trip hop drum bass large outdoor music festivals summer autumn popular festival reading leeds festivals prominent opera house england royal opera house garden season orchestral classical concerts held royal albert hall london major cultural event english calendar takes place yearly royal ballet world foremost classical ballet companies reputation built prominent figures 20th century dance choreographer frederick cinema england considerable influence history cinema producing greatest actors directors motion pictures time including alfred charlie david lean john peter sellers michael helen kate daniel day lewis lean critically acclaimed time thriller story london fog helped shape thriller genre film film blackmail regarded british sound feature film major film studios england include commercially successful films time produced england including highest grossing film franchises harry potter james_bond studios london claim oldest continuously working film studio world famous recording motion picture film scores london symphony orchestra performed film music british films includes life brian film regularly voted funniest time public english producers active international productions english actors directors crew feature regularly american films film council ranked david christopher mike scott paul commercially successful english directors contemporary english directors include sam guy steve current actors include tom hardy daniel emma watson acclaimed motion capture work andy opened studios london visual effects company london produced critically acclaimed special effects modern film successful hollywood films based english people stories events english cycle disney animated films include alice wonderland jungle book museums libraries galleries english_heritage governmental body broad managing historic sites artefacts environments england currently sponsored department culture media sport charity national trust places historic interest natural beauty holds contrasting role united_kingdom world heritage sites fall england best known wall associated sites tower london coast gorge royal park museums england notable london british museum collection seven million objects largest comprehensive world sourced continent illustrating documenting story human culture beginning present british library london national library world largest research libraries holding million items known languages formats including million books senior art gallery national gallery square houses collection paintings dating century galleries house national collections british international modern art host famously controversial turner prize sports england strong sporting heritage 19th century codified sports played world sports originating england include association football cricket rugby union rugby league tennis boxing hockey table tennis racing fox hunting helped development golf sailing formula football popular sports england national football team home venue stadium played scotland international football match referred home football england hosted world cup won tournament defeating west_germany final scoring hat trick british television audience peak million viewers final watched television event club level england recognised birthplace club football sheffield founded world oldest club football association oldest governing body sport rules football drafted cup football league cup league competitions respectively modern day premier league world watched football league lucrative elite case football england renowned intense rivalries clubs passion supporters includes tradition football chants singing variant sung fans opposition fans gone silent left early european cup champions league won liverpool manchester united nottingham forest villa arsenal leeds united reached final english clubs enjoyed success town liverpool won cup renamed league cricket generally thought developed early medieval period farming communities england cricket team composite england wales team game rivalries ashes series england australia contested climax ashes viewed million available terrestrial television england hosted cricket world cups host edition won tournament reaching final times hosted world winning format beating rivals australia final domestic competition county championship yorkshire far successful club having won competition times lord cricket ground situated london referred cricket william penny prominent organising format modern olympic games president juan laid grave said came pay homage tribute founder modern olympic games london hosted summer olympic games times england competes commonwealth games held years sport england governing body responsible distributing funds providing strategic guidance sporting activity england rugby union originated rugby school early 19th century england rugby union team won rugby world cup country host nations competition rugby world cup set host rugby world cup level club participation english leicester tigers london bath rugby saints success europe wide cup rugby league born england national rugby league team test nation lieu great_britain national rugby league team won world cups retired club sides play super league present day embodiment rugby football league championship rugby league popular towns northern english counties lancashire yorkshire english clubs super league based north england successful clubs include warriors leeds giants won world club challenge previously golf prominent england cultural geographical ties scotland home golf professional tours men women main tours european tour england produced grand slam winners walker tony nick rose men davies nicholas karen women world oldest golf tournament golf major open championship played england scotland golf competition cup named english businessman samuel sponsored event donated trophy nick successful cup player having won points player european teams tennis created birmingham england late 19th century championships oldest tennis tournament world widely considered prestigious fred perry englishman win player win grand slam singles titles helped lead great_britain team victory france davis cup english women won include ann jones won virginia wade boxing rules england produced world champions weight divisions internationally recognised governing bodies world champions include bob kid lewis chris frank lewis khan david women boxing adams world woman win olympic boxing gold medal summer olympics british grand prix race newly created formula world championship england produced greatest drivers sport including john moss graham hill driver won triple crown man hold titles time hill lewis hamilton button manufactured technically advanced racing cars today racing companies choose england base operations engineering knowledge organisation automotive williams team lotus red bull racing located south england england rich heritage grand prix motorcycle racing premier championship motorcycle road racing produced world champions class motorcycle mike john read duke barry widely popular sport england professional competitive sport traditional pub game sport governed world federation member organisations annually stages world professional championship professional corporation runs world championship palace london taylor widely regarded best player time having won professional tournaments record world championships time women world professional champion british organisation popular sport commonly associated pub games england produced world champions including steve davis sullivan english keen sailors enjoy competitive sailing founding winning worlds famous respected international competitive tournaments race formats including match race america cup england produced world greatest sailors including francis john robin ellen mike paul successful olympic sailor ben national symbols george cross national flag england 13th century originally flag maritime republic genoa english monarch paid tribute genoa onwards english ships fly flag means protection entering mediterranean red_cross symbol 12th 13th centuries associated saint george countries cities claimed patron saint cross banner george cross formed design union flag pan british flag designed king james numerous symbols symbolic artefacts official unofficial including tudor rose nation floral emblem lions featured royal arms england tudor rose adopted national emblem england time wars roses symbol peace symbol merged white rose red rose cadet branches went war control nation known rose england oak tree symbol england representing strength endurance royal oak symbol oak apple day commemorate escape king charles_ii grasp father execution hid oak tree avoid detection safely reaching exile royal arms england national coat arms featuring lions originated adoption richard lions provides prominent symbols england similar traditional arms normandy england official designated national anthem united_kingdom god save queen following considered unofficial english national anthems jerusalem land hope glory england commonwealth games thee country england national day april george day george patron saint england