Great Britain: Row over national icons (Culture mavens fight over what symbolizes Englishness)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | January 8, 2006 | CAROLINE IGGULDEN

[Stoat]

Row over national icons

Icons ... Jordan
Picture: REX
 

By CAROLINE IGGULDEN

  A LIST of 12 icons marking classic symbols of Englishness was revealed yesterday — and sparked a storm of criticism.

The line-up — compiled by art experts and academics — includes a cup of tea, Punch and Judy and Stonehenge.

The dozen will be unveiled today by culture minister David Lammy as part of the Icons Online project.


 

Here here ... for beer
 

The public will then be asked to nominate and vote for additional icons. The most popular will be added to the list every three months.

But the first lot — which also includes the Routemaster bus, the FA Cup and Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII — was yesterday branded “quaint and banal” by historian David Starkey.

He said: “It seems like a desperate attempt to invent something that’s not there.


 

Indian ... Tea
 

“Unlike Scotland, Wales and Ireland, whose nationalism is based on their culture, England’s is not.

“Historically, English nationalism has more to do with being best and first.”

Roger Scruton, author of England: An Elegy, said: “Henry VIII was more Welsh than English. Holbein was born in Germany. Tea? That came from India.”

We’ve listed our own icons, including Jordan’s boobs, chicken tikka masala, 12 pints of lager on a Saturday night and the Burberry cap, above right.

 

 

 

 
 

[Stoat]

A partial, hurriedly-assembled and sure-to-be-edited StoatList of American Icons, in no particular order

Raquel Welch

The V-8 Engine

Ronald Reagan

 

The Miniskirt

The M-16 Rifle

Our Military, may God Bless them all

[FostersExport]

The miniskirt's English.

[Stoat]

Don't you think that it symbolizes American freedom, though?

As they say in the article, tea is from India but in many people's view it's come to symbolize Englishness

[AlaninSA]

Glad I'm not the only insomniac...

the Jeep CJ

the Cheeseburger

The cowboy...and John Wayne

Baseball

[WoofDog123]

for the UK political icon I would think the INGSOC or big brother posters from the movie based on 1984 would be appropriate. Or maybe that london bus poster a couple of years 'secure beneath the watchful eyes.'

[Stoat]

Great list!

Cheerleaders!

[FostersExport]

Oh it's probably just because I'm English, my instant reaction was "that's English".

[FostersExport]

Oh it's probably just because I'm English, my instant reaction was "that's English".

[Stoat]

"or big brother posters from the movie based on 1984 would be appropriate"

[Stoat]

Oh it's probably just because I'm English, my instant reaction was "that's English".

That's okay, I understand  :-) 

[AlaninSA]

And we can't forget mascots

[Stoat]

I'm surprised that neither list in the article included cricket. Even though it's played in many other countries, wouldn't you say that most people associate it with Englishness?

How about Rugby / soccer?

[WoofDog123]

[FostersExport]

Thing about cricket is although it’s an obviously English sport, it’s nowhere near as popular as soccer. And yes soccer should probably be in the list. Well, the FA Cup is so that’ll do.

[jocon307]

You are definately correct about the mini skirt. Now I want to see Austin Powers again, just the opening segment, gosh that was so great!

Since you are English, can you explain what these items on the lists are:

The Angel of the North

The FA cup

"Jerusalem" (do they mean the song/poem?)

White Van

A spitfire's a car, no? The signifigance of some othe the other items is lost on me, but I think I know what types of things they are. Thanks in advance if you can explain. And here I thought I was such a big angophile all these years, and the above items have me stumped.

And how about Sherlock Holmes and Big Ben and....dogs?

[Stoat]

GREAT picture, thanks!

[Stoat]

Thing about cricket is although it’s an obviously English sport, it’s nowhere near as popular as soccer. And yes soccer should probably be in the list. Well, the FA Cup is so that’ll do.

That makes perfect sense, thank you  :-)

[Fresh Wind]

What symbolizes "Englishness". Hmmmm. A puddle of oil in the driveway?

[Stoat]

What symbolizes "Englishness". Hmmmm. A puddle of oil in the driveway?

<<<  handing you a stylish, American-made flame-protection suit   :-)

[Fresh Wind]

Don't need it. Paid my dues ('62 MG and '67 Austin Healey)!