England

England is a country of lowlands, yet some high mountains can be found in the north.

Basic facts

England

England is part of United Kingdom. It borders with Wales in the west, Scotland in the north. Waters surrounding England are: North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel.

There are over 50 million people living in England. That accounts for 83% of the whole UK population.

Capital of England is London, with over 7 million people living in the city and over 12 million in its metropolitan area. (Metropolitan area means one large city, such as London, and all adjacent smaller cities that are regulated by the main one)

People in England speak english language. In some areas of Cornwall people are still speaking an old Cornish language which is nearly extinct.

Heralrdy of England

Heraldry is set of symbols used by the group of people. When we talk about heraldry of a country, we often mean:

• Flag
• Coat of Arms
• Anthem

Sometimes other symbos are popular, such as: colour, animal or flower.

English flag

Flag of England

English flag is the St George’s Cross. It is believed that this symbol appeared in the Middle Ages and has been used to represent England during the 16th century.

Red cross is a symbol of St George.

Interestingly, there’s another country who’s patron is St George and the flag looks very similar to that of England. Can you guess what that country is?… (*Answer is at the bottom of this page)

English coat of arms

Original English coat of arms contained two golden lions on the red background.

Later when King Richard I came to the throne he added third lion to it. It is still not clear why third lion has been added to the coat of arms, but it is believed it symbolises Anglo-Norman friendship and union.

England’s symbol – red rose

England’s national symbol is red rose.

It has been adopted during the civil war beween royal house of Lancaster (red rose) and royal house of York (white rose).

Wars between these houses were called the Wars of the Roses and they took place between 1455 and 1485.

Anthem

There is no official anthem of England. There have been proposals for electing one. One of the most popular options is hymn “Jerusalem”, which is based on William Blake’s poem “And did those feet in ancient time”.

Jerusalem lyrics:

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

*) Country that has very similar flag is Georgia. You can find more about the Georgia’s flag here.