English people

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2008-05-17-SuttonHoo

Britain peoples circa 600

Ethelred the Unready

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English people are a ethnic group and nation native to England who speak the English language. The English identity is of early medieval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Angelcynn (family of the Angles). Their ethnonym is derived from the Angles, one of the Germanic peoples who migrated to Great Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries. Historically, the English people were understood to be the inhabitants of the Kingdom of England, which included Wales until 1284, and included parts of what is now Scotland until 1707. The Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain is the process by which the English identity was formed.

History

The history of the English people is a complex tale of invasions, migrations, and the merging of cultures. The earliest known inhabitants of what is now England were the Celts, who were displaced or assimilated by the invading Anglo-Saxons, a collection of Germanic tribes including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. This period, known as the Anglo-Saxon era, laid the foundation for the English language and culture.

Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the English people were subjected to Norman rule and influence, leading to a bilingual society where the English and Norman cultures coexisted and merged. Over the centuries, England saw further changes with the Plantagenet rule, the Tudor period, and the Stuart period, each leaving a distinct impact on English society, law, and the arts.

The Industrial Revolution, originating in England in the late 18th century, had a profound effect on the English people, transforming the country from a primarily agrarian society into the world's leading industrial power. This period saw significant social, economic, and political changes, including urbanization, the rise of a working class, and the expansion of the British Empire.

Culture

English culture has evolved over the centuries under the influence of various factors including the country's island status, its history of Christian religion, the traditions of the various peoples who have inhabited the land, and the impact of the British Empire. English culture encompasses the literature, art, architecture, music, and cuisine of England. The Church of England, a form of Protestantism, has played a significant role in shaping English identity since the Reformation.

Language

The English language is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic invaders and/or settlers from various parts of what is now northwest Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. It has developed over more than 1,400 years and its various dialects can be found in every corner of the world, making it a truly global language.

Demographics

Today, the English people are primarily found in England, which is part of the United Kingdom. However, due to the historical reach of the British Empire and the modern phenomenon of globalization, there are significant English-speaking populations around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean.

National Identity

The question of English national identity has evolved over the centuries. Today, it is often intertwined with British identity, though there are movements and individuals who advocate for a distinct English national consciousness, particularly in the context of devolution within the United Kingdom, where Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own devolved governments and parliaments.

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