(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.)
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.
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.”
I had that very edition! The thing that appals me is that quite a lot of enthusiasts for "anti-woke" "proper history" seem to think that it has a shape, that the shape is essentially the shape Sellar and Yeatman sketch in this book, and that they do not realise that it is a _joke_.
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.)
Still one of my favourite books after nearly 60 years, thanks for reminding me of that xo
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 piece. I must dig out my battered old copy!
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. :-)
Lovely article.
Now go read Molesworth immediately!
I had that very edition! The thing that appals me is that quite a lot of enthusiasts for "anti-woke" "proper history" seem to think that it has a shape, that the shape is essentially the shape Sellar and Yeatman sketch in this book, and that they do not realise that it is a _joke_.