Reaching as far back 55BC and coming right up to 2020 it is certainly an ambitious book. Not only providing a potted history of England it also seeks to give some of our current discontents an historical perspective.
The book splits Englands history into 5 periods: 55BC-1087, to 1509, to 1763, to 1914, and finally to 2020. The themes of each are broadly chaos and invasion, subjugation by a foreign elite, revolution and consolidation, rise to power, and decline respectively.
Despite the broad brush a few common themes are drawn out which are supposed to have relevance today. These themes provide a common thread and mean it is so much more interesting than a simple historical summary.
Firstly, there is a sense that the English are not a united people at all and some of our present divisions have deep historical routes. Top of these divisions is the North-South divide, or to be more precise anything above The Trent and in the far West. Those from London, the Home Counties, and the South East dominate the notion of ‘Englishness’ as well as most of the wealth and power.
Secondly, there is a sense that England has nearly always been governed by an elite that is distinct (more foreign) than the vast majority of its people. Whether it be the Norman invasion or the ascent of George I, through history this elite has often seen itself as distinct. This has manifested itself in our language. Nonetheless it is recognised that one of the strengths of this elite over hundreds of years is its ability to incorporate the newly powerful and wealthy.
Thirdly, the spectre of Europe haunts in each chapter. Whether it be the constant invasion and conquests of the 1000 years to 1500, the perceived threat of popery, or the ongoing desire to ensure a balance of power on the continent over the past 500, there is a sense that, as Churchill said, ‘we are with Europe, not of it’.
The book ends on a rather depressing note. Looking at a country in decline that has failed to address the causes of its decline it notes post Brexit we will enter a world split as a nation and ‘alone in the world for the first time in centuries’.
What will come next for the English is difficult to know, but with the Conservative party dominant with dreams of a small state anchored into an international Anglo sphere there is undoubtedly conflict ahead.
This is a great little book and provides a broad brush sweep of English history, definitely worth a read.