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Cover photograph: Collections Photo Library/Gary Smith Ilstrations byt Bret Breckon pages 10. 13 ‘Matthew Laveence page 110 ‘Alan Nancon all chapier openers ‘Oxford Univershy Press eanographie deparument pages 9, 31. 34 86, 87, 115, 209 ‘Oxford Univers Press techulcal graphics department pages 32 35, 46, 89, 91, 104, 108, 109, 121, 152, 135, 157. 195. 145; 6, 152, 158. 158, 160, 171, 180, 181, 195, 199, 202 Murray Zanoal pages 174, 176 Swudio photography Haddon Davies pages 118, 134, 155, 2 ‘The publisher would like to hank the following for the Bermison to reproduce photgrphs and other copyright ‘Action Images page 199: AKG London page 24 (Henry VIII); Allspon Phoro Library page 196 (R Cheyne): Aquarius Photo Libary page 160; The Automobile Asvociation (for use of thelr Jogo) page 162; BRC Photo Library pages so, 10, (at! singe). 197 (Dhan f Dock Geen); Barclays Bank (for use of thelr logo) page 147; The Bridgeman Art Library/Jobn Noot Galleries, Broadway page 23; Byam Homes page 17s; Collections Photo Library paget 1¢ (R Hallman). 37 (Lane Fa: P Wats), 138 (A Gordon), 209 (ack up: A Le Garsmeur); Colorsportpige 194s The Conservative Pary (or use oftheir logo) page 73 Lape Cunha page 172; Domini Peures page 23 (€ Ashmore): ‘The Environmental Plue Libary page 197 (A Testa); Eye Ubiquitous page 37 (finned: T Page); Garden News page 192 (T Sandal); Sally and Richard Grecaill Photo Library pages 182, 214; Sue Hallet page 202; House of Commons Press Office page {97 (Back Rad}: Holton Deutch Library page 27; Images/Landscape ‘nly Photo Library pages 16, 40; The indepeadam page 129 (& Pom); The Kobal Collection page 17; The Labout Pany (for use of their logo) page 74: The Liberal Democrats (for use of thelr Togo) page 73: Life File pages 61 (Pld Lacy: A Ward), 80 (Pickard), 16 (J Hoare); Loyds Bank (for usc of their logo) page 1475 Lord Snooty, © DC Thompson and Co Lid 1989 page 59: Magnum Photo Library pages 115 (C Stecle-Perkins), 119 (Fe Dany: L Freed), 131 (P Maslow), 187 (M Parr); Mary Evans Picture Library pages to, 11, 21 (lash 1); Midland Bank (For use of their logo) page 147; NarWest Bank ((or use oftheir logo) page 147: Neals Yard Remedies page 175; Network Photo Library pages 661 (alowens: H Sykes), 111 (M Abrahams), 119 (Feedun Fie sure. G Mendel), 123 (both ples by H Sykes), 147 (B Lewis). 149, (Barry Lewis), 163 (B Lewis), 164 (ce cones Sykes), (back P Jordan): The Performing Art Library page 204 (C Burd); Photofsion pages 144 (J Manin), 189; Popperfoo pages 47 (@ Joyner), 66, 79, 124; The Press Association pages 5 74.88. 96: Punch Publistions Led page 1go; RAC (for the use of thelr logo) [age 162; RSPCA Photo Library page 6 (T Sambrook): The Fetrograph Archive page 210; Rex Features pages 56, 63,78 (D Harley), 90,97 (ant apni of alum), 104 () Bradley), 103 (no swage: P Brookes), 188, 206 (N Jorgensen); The ‘Samaritans page 170; Scope Features page (07 (The Bl); Skysan Balloon Photography page 178; Frank Spooner Petes pages $3 (Gamma, T Bitchburn), 65 (K Bernsiein/ESP), 91 (Gamma K Bernstein), 114 (Gamma); The Sul Moving Picure Company [page 43: The Sun Newspaper/News Intemational page #18; John ‘Walmsley Photo Library pages 38,44, 164 (ue wena); Warwick Univesity page 13. ‘We would also like to thank Gertrude Erbach atthe reference library, News International for her help In obuaning ilusative ‘material and Derek Heater, founder Chairman of the Polite [Association for his advice on the chapters concerning history and politic.~Britan James O’Driscoll Oxford University PressContents Introduction 6 Country and people 8 Comte preter tteyereiter The our rains The dominance of England Natioual oles 6 Political life 6 The public atitude to politics - The style of democracy + The constitution - The style of polities The party system - The modern situation History ts Prehistory - The Roman period (43-410) « The Germanic invasions (410-1066) - The medieval period (1066-1485) + The sistent century - The seventeenth century - The eighteenth century The nineteenth century - The twenicth century Geography u eee eee eee rie teense and pollation- London « Southern England The Midlands. Nonhern England = Scoland Wile Northern ireland Identity ” Ethnic identity: the native British -Eubnic identi the non-native British - The family » Geographical ‘dentty »Chss - Men and women » Religious and politcal density» Social and everyday contacts - Idemity in Northern Ireland « Being British Attitudes 56 Suereotypes and change - English versus British ‘Mulkiculturalism Conservatism « Being different Thelove of nature The love of animals - Formality and informality « Public spiritedness and amateurism « Privacy and sex 7 The monarchy ” ‘The appearance - The reality - The role ofthe ‘monarch - The value of te monarchy - The future ofthe monarchy 8 The government a ‘The cabinet « The Prime Minister - The civil service - Central and local government « Local government 9) Parliament _ The atmosphere of Parlamen + An MPS fe pee ee eee Parliament The House of Lords 10 JElections 8 ‘The system - Formal arrangements - The campaign Polling day - Hection night . Recent results and the future Il! The law 106 The police and the public «Crime and criminal procedure» The system of justice - The legal profesionContents 12 International relations 13. 13 ‘The end of empire . The armed forces Transatlantic relations . The sovereignty of the union: Europe - ‘The sovereignty of the union: Scotland and Wales - The sovereignty ofthe union: Northern Ireland Religion ra Feligon and poles. Anglicanism «Catholicism (ther convetonal Chistian churches - Other religions, churches and religious movements 14 |Education 130 \S The me ‘Historical background - Organization - Style - Recent developments - School life - Public exams « Education beyond sixteen The economy and tat everyday life Exming money - Wotk oganiations . The stracre oftade and indostry «The ditbution of wealth ance ad iaveraent-Spendiag money: shopping «Shop opening hours 152 The importance ofthe national press. The two types cof national newspaper» The characteristics ofthe national pres: politics. The characteristics ofthe rational press: sex and scandal. - The BBC ‘Television: organization « Television: style Transport 162 (adie able map in tween ees Doble tnspor between towns aod cer» Te ary of the chunnel - Air and water 21 Sport and compe 18 Welfare 168 ‘The benefits system » Social services and charities The national health service . The medical profession 19 Housing Houses, no fats «Private property aad public property -The importance of ‘home’ Individuality and conformity «Interiors: the importance of cosiness- Owning and renting « Homelessness 20 Food and drink 184, Autitudes to food - Eating out - Alcohol « Pubs n 191 ‘national passion « The social importance of sport « Cricket» Football - Rugby - Animals in spore - Other sports - Gambling 22 Thearts 201 The arts in society. The characteristics of British ars and lexers . Theatre and cinema Music - Literature The fine ants 23. Holidays and special 28 occasions Traditional seaside holidays « Modern holidays Christmas and New Year» Other notable anna coceasions s