Portal:England
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England (pronounced IPA: /ˈɪŋglənd/) is a country in the north west of Europe and constituent country of the United Kingdom. England has an estimated population of 50,714,000, thus making it the most densely populated constituent country, accounting for more than 83% of the total UK population. It occupies most of the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and shares land borders with Scotland to the north and with Wales to the west. During the 10th century, England became a unified state, taking its name from the Angles, one of several Germanic peoples who settled in the territory.
England ranks among one of the world's most far-reaching and influential centres of cultural development across the world. Since the Act of Union in 1707, England has not had a government or constitution. It was under this act, that the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland became united, and formed the Kingdom of Great Britain, commonly referred to today as The United Kingdom.
The establishment of the Church of England occurred during the English Reformation in the 16th Century, when the authority of the Roman Catholic Church was abolished and replaced by Royal Supremacy. The English reformation differed significantly from the other countries of Europe, as England's was political, rather than theological like other European countries. The flag of England is the cross of St. George, who is also England's patron saint and St George's Day, which falls on England's national day.
The Herdwick is a traditional breed of domestic sheep native to the mountainous Lake District of Cumbria in North West England. The name "Herdwick" is derived from the Old Norse herdvyck, meaning sheep pasture. Though low in lambing capacity and wool quality when compared to more common commercial breeds such as Merino sheep, Herdwicks are prized for their robust health, their ability to live solely on forage, and their tendency not to stray over the difficult upland terrain of the Lake District. An integral part of the cultural identity of the Lake District, the breed is for the most part found in the central and western dales of the region.
Severely threatened by the 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England and Wales, the breed has survived due to the intent to preserve this unique animal as a crucial part of traditional Lakeland agriculture. Still far less in number than most commercial breeds, Herdwicks survive largely due to farming subsidies and the aid of the British National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.
Photo credit: Chris Howells
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William III of England and Ireland, William II of Scotland or William of Orange (14 November 1650 – 8 March 1702) was the Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of the main provinces of the Dutch Republic from 1672 onwards, and King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689. Born a member of the House of Orange-Nassau, William won the English, Scottish and Irish crowns following the Glorious Revolution, in which his uncle and father-in-law, James II, was deposed. In England, Scotland and Ireland, William ruled jointly with his wife, Mary II, until her death on 28 December 1694. He reigned as 'William II' in Scotland, and 'William III' in England and Ireland. He is informally known in Northern Ireland and Scotland as "King Billy".
A Protestant, William participated in several wars against the powerful Catholic King Louis XIV of France in coalition with Protestant and Catholic powers in Europe. Many Protestants heralded him as a champion of their faith. Largely due to that reputation, William was able to take the British crowns where many were fearful of a revival of Catholicism under James. William's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 is commemorated by the Orange Institution in Northern Ireland to this day. His reign marked the beginning of the transition from the personal rule of the Stuarts to the more Parliament-centered rule of the House of Hanover.
- ... that the production of Swaledale cheese (pictured) includes soaking the cheese wheel in 85 percent brine for 24 hours?
- ... that North Audley Street in Mayfair, London, is named after the English moneylender Hugh Audley?
- ... that English dramatist Edward Rose published The Rose Reader, "a new way of teaching to read," that only used words that were spelled as they sounded?
- ... that the Westminster Retable, a 13th-century panel painting at Westminster Abbey, is the oldest known altarpiece in England?
- January 7: Category:January 3, 2009
- January 7: Category:January 2, 2009
- January 3: Wikinews Shorts: January 3, 2009
- November 27: UK coach driver jailed for triple-death crash near London
- November 26: International fugitive convicted of murdering teen in UK
- November 19: UK football club criticized by council for attempting to trademark city's bird
- November 13: BBC Radio Bristol presenter fired over 'racist' phone call
- November 11: British oceanliner QE2 makes final journey home
England • Bedfordshire • Brighton • Cornwall • Cheshire • Greater Manchester • London • North East England • Sheffield • West Midlands • Yorkshire
- Please visit the English Wikipedians' notice board and help to write new England-related articles, and expand and improve existing ones.
- Visit Wikipedia:WikiProject England/Assessment, and help out by assessing unrated English articles.
- Add the Project Banner to English articles around Wikipedia.
- Check for announcements and open tasks for ways to improve English related articles.
- Help nominate and select new content for the England portal.
- Requested articles: James Roose-Evans • Renewable energy in England • Ealing Village
- Expand: Dorothy Boyd • David Troughton
