Dowsing for Divinity

The identity of being English is a difficult legacy, as we’ve had some colossal assholes who shared that identity. Here, in no particular order, are some of the things that do make me happy to be English:

• The Tolpuddle Martyrs (early trade unionists).
• The Chartists (political resistance movement).
• Three Acres and a Cow (travelling show about the history of land theft and resistance in England). 
• Thomas Hardy (author).
• Mary Webb (author).
• Wilfred Owen (poet).
• Tom Cox (author).
• The Inklings (Tolkien, Lewis, Williams, Barfield).
• Liz Williams (author).
• The trade union movement.
• Scones with cream & jam.
• Apple & blackberry crumble.
• My mum’s flapjack.
• Burial mounds & stone circles.
• Doreen Valiente.
• Wicca.
• Druidry.
• Inclusive Heathens. 
• The Arts & Crafts movement.
• William Morris (the Arts and Crafts guy).
• William Morris (philanthropist and engineer).
• William Blake.
• Elgar.
• The Pre-Raphaelites.
• Unitarians.
• Quakers.
• The Battle of Cable Street. (¡No pasarán!)
• Biscuits (especially hobnobs).
• Battenberg cake (especially when used to modify fascist graffiti).
• Left-wing & queer Morris dancers, mummers, and Molly dancers.
• Amazingly vibrant folklore and folk customs.
• Ned Ludd.
• Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
• Centuries of resistance & subversion.

None of these things exclude anyone from other cultures or promote bigotry.

Please feel free to add in the comments any aspect of your culture that you enjoy which is non-excluding.