A Short History of England - Simon Jenkins

Published by Profile Books in association with National Trust: London, 2012 (2011).

This is a very readable history of England, from the time of the early Saxon kings up until the publication of the book in 2011. Jenkins clarifies early on that his focus is on England itself, rather than Britain as a whole, only bringing in other parts of the world as they interact with England. In practice this does mean that Britain often features (particularly once Wales and Scotland are to some degree 'absorbed' into the larger nation) but on the whole a reader of this book would need another resource to find out about those nations.

I've always enjoyed English history, and my interest in it grew after working at Westminster Abbey from 2008-2009 during my OE. Although I knew some of the main facts of the various monarchs, particularly post-William the Conqueror, Jenkins fleshes them out well, somehow making certain elements more memorable than I had previously found. 

The feud between Henry II and Thomas Becket is a good example, told in mildly tragic tones, with Jenkins highlighting how the duo had started off as close friends before Henry pressured Becket to take the role of archbishop of Canterbury. "Becket claimed that the two loyalties, to church and king, could not be honoured by one man and at first refused. When Henry overruled him, Becket is said to have replied, 'It will be God I serve, before you.'" (page 46) From this point on the friendship became more strained as Becket followed what he felt God calling him to do, eventually leading to Becket being murdered, somewhat on Henry's orders (either deliberate or misinterpreted).

I am a real fan of the monarchy, and it is interesting to note the point where Jenkins' focus shifts from the monarchs to the prime ministers as the real centre of power and rule. As this continues Jenkins gives less and less time to the 'figurehead' kings and queens, culminating in a failure to even acknowledge the death of George VI. Instead, halfway through a paragraph on Britain's struggles for relevancy in the 1950s, we read: "Everest was conquered by members of a team led by Sir John Hunt on 29 May 1953, four days before the coronation of the new queen, Elizabeth II." (page 257). Whereas early chapters focus almost exclusively on the life and times of English Kings, the passing of a modern king doesn't even rate a mention.

Overall a very readable and informative, and yes, relatively short, history of a very interesting nation.

Completed 14 May 2023.


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