The Development of English Identity

What was the development of English identity?

During the medieval period, various people and events played a role in developing an 'English identity', which would influence the people of England (and later Britain) in their attitudes and ideas.

What was Alfred the Great's role in the development of English identity?

The reign of Alfred the Great was an important time in the development of English identity.

• ❖ Alfred the Great fought to push the Vikings out of England, with a dream of uniting England under one king.
• ❖ Alfred's vision of England was of a Christian kingdom, ruled by established laws.

What was the loss of Normandy's role in the development of English identity?

The loss of Normandy in 1204 was an important factor in the development of English identity.

• ❖ The loss of Normandy and other French lands left England isolated. Although it still owned some lands in France, it was now effectively an island nation with no strong links to France.
• ❖ Partly due to the loss of French lands, the barons forced King John to sign Magna Carta. This document put checks on the power of the king, and is seen as the beginning of English democracy and the rule of law.
• ❖ When the barons invited the French Prince Louis to take the English throne, the resulting civil war soon became a war between the English and French invaders.

What was the Hundred Years' War's role in the development of English identity?

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was an important time in the development of English identity.

• ❖ The Hundred Years' War ended up with the loss of all England's remaining lands in France (apart from Calais). England was now truly isolated as an 'island nation'.
• ❖ Although the war started as a dynastic dispute, it soon became seen as a war between two nations - the English and the French.
• ❖ The battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt, showed the superiority of ordinary English longbowmen over the knights of the French nobility. A common English peasant was 'better' than a great French knight.
• ❖ At Agincourt, the English were led by Henry V, the first English king to speak and write in English since the Norman Conquest. It was a proper 'English' victory.
• ❖ During the Hundred Years' War, the English adopted St George as a patron saint. The cross of St George has been part of the English flag, and English identity, ever since.
• ❖ The Hundred Years' War also saw the development of English literature, as opposed to the previous literature that had all been in French or Latin. Chaucer wrote 'The Canterbury Tales' during this time.