Storied Ground: Landscape and the Shaping of English National Identity

By: Paul Readman

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Synopsis: People have always attached meaning to the landscape that surrounds them. In Storied Ground Paul Readman uncovers why landscape matters so much to the English people, exploring its particular importance in shaping English national identity amid the transformations of modernity. The book takes us from the fells of the Lake District to the uplands of Northumberland; from the streetscapes of industrial Manchester to the heart of London. This panoramic journey reveals the significance, not only of the physical characteristics of landscapes, but also of the sense of the past, collective memories and cultural traditions that give these places their meaning. Between the late eighteenth and early twentieth centuries, Englishness extended far beyond the pastoral idyll of chocolate-box thatched cottages, waving fields of corn and quaint country churches. It was found in diverse locations - urban as well as rural, north as well as south - and it took strikingly diverse forms. Seeks to explain the roots of modern English national identity through novel case study approach, using familiar and iconic landscapes such as the White Cliffs of Dover and the River Thames; The writing style is lively and accessible, so will appeal to a wide range of readers; The book has a broad chronological coverage and uses extensive illustrations to help readers visualise the places and cultural artefacts discussed in the text.