(It is interesting — for someone who grew up in an atheist family — how much of it is focused on Anglicanism. It was clearly a *huge* preoccupation of pre-War popular culture.)
You’ve misquoted the joke you’ve only just understood. The pope is told the small boys are angels (S & Y’s deliberate mistake for Angles), and replies, “Not angels but Anglicans.”
Same boat, Rowan. Somehow ended up with a PhD in history (moving to America helped). Those of us who discovered 1066 and Molesworth by ourselves need to meet up. I gave "1066" a shoutout in my first novel, aimed at US kids. My little joke. Ahem.
I think my favourite line from 1066 and All That, about my beloved Mary I, is that “England was bound to be CofE, so all the burnings were wasted”.
You see, I’d forgotten that one and it just made me laugh all over again
It offends my every historiographical sensibility but it’s bloody witty. Poor Mary.
(It is interesting — for someone who grew up in an atheist family — how much of it is focused on Anglicanism. It was clearly a *huge* preoccupation of pre-War popular culture.)
You’ve misquoted the joke you’ve only just understood. The pope is told the small boys are angels (S & Y’s deliberate mistake for Angles), and replies, “Not angels but Anglicans.”
Oh god. Ironically, I’d half-remembered it and didn’t check
Incredibly meta
Been there, done that, many times. :-)
Same boat, Rowan. Somehow ended up with a PhD in history (moving to America helped). Those of us who discovered 1066 and Molesworth by ourselves need to meet up. I gave "1066" a shoutout in my first novel, aimed at US kids. My little joke. Ahem.
Lovely article.
Now go read Molesworth immediately!
Lovely piece. I must dig out my battered old copy!