The Prince of Wales is a unique title that is not hereditary and can only be bestowed by the monarch. It is currently held by Prince Charles, but it will be up to him to decide whether to invest his son, Prince William, with the title. Princes are only found in England, and they can […]
The United Kingdom is a union of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Great Britain refers to the island of England, Scotland, and Wales. England dominates the UK, but Scotland and Wales have some self-government. “British” refers to people from Great Britain, not just England. Scotland and England united in 1707, and Wales […]
English law requires the reporting of treasure finds to the coroner, who determines ownership. To qualify as treasure, an item must contain at least 10% precious metals and be over 300 years old. Finders are compensated if the Crown claims the treasure. Failure to report a find has legal consequences. Many countries have strict laws […]
70 households own 20% of the land in England, dating back to William the Conqueror. Land is typically passed down among aristocratic families. The Forestry Commission is the largest landowner, while Queen Elizabeth II technically owns the most land due to ruling the British Commonwealth. An estimated 160,000, around 70 households own 2012% of the […]
The Church of England is the official Christian church in England and the mother church of Anglican beliefs. It is not considered a Protestant church but incorporates elements of both Catholic and Protestant beliefs. Anglicanism began when King Henry VIII rejected Roman authority over English worship. The Church of England has introduced Anglicanism to many […]
New England, named by Captain John Smith in the 17th century, played a significant role in the formation of the United States. The region’s colonies became states, and New England led the fight for independence. It also pioneered social reform and remains a leader in human rights, government reforms, and environmental issues. Today, it is […]
French was the official language of England from 1066 to 1362, when it was replaced by English. French was used by the nobility, while English was spoken by the lower classes. Latin was used for official documentation. The loss of Normandy and the Hundred Years War against France contributed to the shift towards English. French […]
Bath, England is an ancient city built on Roman ruins known for its mineral springs. It has a rich history, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and being the setting for Jane Austen’s novels. Bath is also a cultural center with five theaters and is a great starting point for exploring the Cotswolds. Bath, England […]
The Bank of England Museum in London showcases the bank’s history, including furniture, documents, coins, notes, and gold bars. It has a comprehensive coin and banknote collection, as well as displays of tools and furniture used by bank managers. The museum is located in a building designed by Sir John Soane and covers more than […]
Beached whales in the UK belong to the monarchy due to an ancient statute. No royal has claimed a beached marine animal, but they are used for research by the Natural History Museum. Strandings provide a unique opportunity to learn more about whales, but many die of starvation. What happens when a beached whale washes […]
The UK’s royal financial portfolio includes a business park near Windsor Castle with a McDonald’s restaurant, purchased by the Crown Estate in 2008 for £92m. McDonald’s is the largest hamburger fast food chain in the world, with over 35,000 restaurants in 119 countries. In the UK, the royal financial portfolio includes a business park near […]
