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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers approximately 62%, and over 100 smaller adjacent islands. It has land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, and is otherwise surrounded by the North Sea to the east, the English Channel to the south, the Celtic Sea to the south-west, and the Irish Sea to the west. Continental Europe lies to the south-east, and Ireland to the west. At the 2021 census, the population was 56,490,048. London is both the largest city and the capital.

The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during the Upper Paleolithic. It takes its name from the Angles, a Germanic tribe who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in the 10th century and has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world since the Age of Discovery, which began during the 15th century. The Kingdom of England, which included Wales after 1535, ceased to be a separate sovereign state on 1 May 1707, when the Acts of Union brought into effect a political union with the Kingdom of Scotland that created the Kingdom of Great Britain.

England is the origin of the English language, the English legal system (which served as the basis for the common law systems of many other countries), association football, and the Anglican branch of Christianity; its parliamentary system of government has been widely adopted by other nations. The Industrial Revolution began in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the world's first industrialised nation. England is home to the two oldest universities in the English-speaking world: the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, and the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209. Both universities are ranked among the most prestigious in the world.

England's terrain chiefly consists of low hills and plains, especially in the centre and south. Upland and mountainous terrain is mostly found in the north and west, including Dartmoor, the Lake District, the Pennines, and the Shropshire Hills. The country's capital is London, the metropolitan area of which has a population of 14.2 million as of 2021, representing the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area. England's population of 56.3 million comprises 84% of the population of the United Kingdom, largely concentrated around London, the South East, and conurbations in the Midlands, the North West, the North East, and Yorkshire, which each developed as major industrial regions during the 19th century. (Full article...)

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Portrait attributed to John de Critz, c. 1605

James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. Although he long tried to get both countries to adopt a closer political union, the kingdoms of Scotland and England remained sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, ruled by James in personal union. He was the longest-reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Scotland.

James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a great-great-grandson of Henry VII, King of England and Lord of Ireland, and thus a potential successor to all three thrones. He acceded to the Scottish throne at the age of thirteen months, after his mother was forced to abdicate in his favour. Four regents governed during his minority, which ended officially in 1578, though he did not gain full control of his government until 1583. In 1589, he married Anne of Denmark. Three of their children survived to adulthood: Henry Frederick, Elizabeth, and Charles. In 1603, James succeeded his cousin Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch of England and Ireland, who died childless. He continued to reign in all three kingdoms for 22 years, a period known as the Jacobean era, until his death in 1625. After the Union of the Crowns, he based himself in England (the largest of the three realms) from 1603, returning to Scotland only once, in 1617, and styled himself "King of Great Britain and Ireland". He was an advocate of a single parliament for England and Scotland. In his reign, the Plantation of Ulster and English colonisation of the Americas began. (Full article...)

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Faraday, c. 1850s

Michael Faraday FRS (/ˈfærədeɪ, -di/; 22 September 1791 – 25 August 1867) was an English scientist who contributed to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His main discoveries include the principles underlying electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis. Although Faraday received little formal education, as a self-made man, he was one of the most influential scientists in history. It was by his research on the magnetic field around a conductor carrying a direct current that Faraday established the concept of the electromagnetic field in physics. Faraday also established that magnetism could affect rays of light and that there was an underlying relationship between the two phenomena. He similarly discovered the principles of electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism, and the laws of electrolysis. His inventions of electromagnetic rotary devices formed the foundation of electric motor technology, and it was largely due to his efforts that electricity became practical for use in technology.

As a chemist, Faraday discovered benzene, investigated the clathrate hydrate of chlorine, invented an early form of the Bunsen burner and the system of oxidation numbers, and popularised terminology such as "anode", "cathode", "electrode" and "ion". Faraday ultimately became the first and foremost Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, a lifetime position. (Full article...)

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General images

The following are images from various England-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1The English landscape garden at Stourhead, described as a 'living work of art' when first opened in the 1750s (from Culture of England)
Image 2The wizard Merlin features as a character in many works of fiction, including the BBC series Merlin. (from Culture of England)
Image 3Edward Elgar is one of England's most celebrated classical composers. (from Culture of England)
Image 4Anglo-Saxon king with his Witan. Biblical scene in the Old English Hexateuch (11th century) (from History of England)
Image 5Portrait of Edward VI, c. 1550 (from History of England)
Image 6Morris dancing (from Culture of England)
Image 7Interior of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford (from Culture of England)
Image 8Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 720 AD (from History of England)
Image 9The Ruthwell Cross, 8th century AD (from History of England)
Image 10King Charles II (from History of England)
Image 11The White Tower of the Tower of London, built in 1078 (from History of England)
Image 12Frontispiece of Bede's Life of St Cuthbert, showing King Æthelstan presenting a copy of the book to the saint himself. c. 930 (from History of England)
Image 13The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork yet found^[update]. It consists of almost 4,600 items and metal fragments. (from Culture of England)
Image 14Victory in Europe Day celebrations in London, 8 May 1945 (from History of England)
Image 15Chester, c. 1880 (from History of England)
Image 16The Spanish Armada and English ships in August 1588, (unknown, 16th-century, English School) (from History of England)
Image 17One of only four surviving exemplifications of the 1215 text, Cotton MS. Augustus II. 106, property of the British Library (from History of England)
Image 18Gold torc from Snettisham, 70 BC (from History of England)
Image 19England in 878 (from History of England)
Image 20Durham Cathedral. The Norman cathedral was built 1093–1133 (from History of England)
Image 21King Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649 (from History of England)
Image 22Francis Bacon led the advancement of both natural philosophy and the scientific method and his works remained deeply influential in the Scientific Revolution. (from Culture of England)
Image 23Whitehall by Francis Dodd (1920) displaying the Palace of Westminster (from Culture of England)
Image 24View of the ramparts of the hillfort of Maiden Castle (450 BC), as they look today (from History of England)
Image 25The Royal College of Music is the oldest conservatoire in the UK, established by royal charter in 1882. (from Culture of England)
Image 26The Procession Picture, c. 1600, showing Elizabeth I borne along by her courtiers (from History of England)
Image 27Anglo-Saxon helmet from the Sutton Hoo ship burial, 625 AD (replica) (from History of England)
Image 28Stinking Bishop cheese (from Culture of England)
Image 29The Alfred Jewel, late 9th century (from History of England)
Image 30Canterbury Cathedral nave, 1377 (from History of England)
Image 31The Billingsgate Fish Market in London in the early 19th century (from History of England)
Image 32Alfred Hitchcock is often regarded as the greatest British filmmaker, and was described as "a straightforward middle-class Englishman who just happened to be an artistic genius." (from Culture of England)
Image 33Sir Isaac Newton is regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time and as a key figure in the Scientific Revolution. (from Culture of England)
Image 34Durham Cathedral, dating from 1093 (from Culture of England)
Image 35Artefacts from Bush Barrow at Stonehenge. Wessex culture, Early Bronze Age, c. 1900 BC (from History of England)
Image 36Countries where English is natively spoken or has official status (from Culture of England)
Image 37Silbury Hill, c. 2400 BC (from History of England)
Image 38A pint of real ale (from Culture of England)
Image 39Remains of the Roman baths at Bath, England. (from History of England)
Image 40King Charles II, a patron of the arts and sciences, supported the Royal Society, a scientific group whose early members included Robert Hooke, Robert Boyle and Sir Isaac Newton. (from Culture of England)
Image 41The first general laws against child labour, the Factory Acts, were passed in Britain in the first half of the 19th century. Children younger than nine were not allowed to work and the work day of youth under the age of 18 was limited to twelve hours. (from History of England)
Image 42The epic poem Beowulf, set in 6th century Scandinavia, composed c. 700–1000 AD. (from History of England)
Image 43England playing Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground in the 2009 Ashes series. After winning the 2019 Cricket World Cup, England became the first country to win the World Cups in football, rugby union and cricket. (from Culture of England)
Image 44King Alfred the Great statue in Winchester, Hampshire. The 9th-century English king encouraged education in his kingdom. (from Culture of England)
Image 45Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Primate of All England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior bishop of the Church of England. (It was the property of the Roman Catholic Church before the English Reformation.) (from Culture of England)
Image 46Londinium (Roman London), c. 120 AD (from History of England)
Image 47Stonehenge, erected in several stages from c.3000–2500 BC (from History of England)
Image 48Portrait of the Royal Tudors. At left, Henry VII, with Prince Arthur behind him, then Prince Henry (later Henry VIII), and Prince Edmund, who did not survive early childhood. To the right is Elizabeth of York, with Princess Margaret, then Princess Elizabeth who didn't survive childhood, Princess Mary, and Princess Katherine, who died shortly after her birth. (from History of England)
Image 49A traditional Punch and Judy booth, at Swanage, Dorset, England (from Culture of England)
Image 50First English Civil War at the Battle of Marston Moor, 1644 (from History of England)
Image 51Christopher Lee (seen here as Dracula in 1958) starred in many of Hammer's British horror films. (from Culture of England)
Image 52Elizabeth I (from History of England)
Image 53Dover Castle, 12th–13th century (from History of England)
Image 54Depiction of the Battle of Hastings (1066) on the Bayeux Tapestry (from History of England)
Image 55King's College in Cambridge is regarded as one of the greatest examples of late English Gothic architecture. It has the world's largest fan vault, while the chapel's stained-glass windows and wooden chancel screen are considered some of the finest from their era. (from Culture of England)
Image 56William Hogarth's depiction of a scene from Shakespeare's The Tempest is an example of how English literature influenced English painting in the 18th century. (from Culture of England)
Image 57Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol played a major role in reviving the "spirit" of Christmas and seasonal goodwill. (from Culture of England)
Image 58Geoffrey Chaucer, c. 1340s–1400, author of The Canterbury Tales (from History of England)
Image 59Bronze coins of Cunobelin, called "King of the Britons" by Suetonius. 1–42 AD. (from History of England)
Image 60The Lindisfarne Gospels (from Culture of England)
Image 61Remains of Hadrian's Wall (from History of England)
Image 62Tomb of Richard I of England and Isabella of Angoulême (from History of England)
Image 63Jack In the Green, a traditional English folk custom being celebrated in Hastings Old Town, known for its many pre-Victorian buildings. (from Culture of England)
Image 64The Mob Quad of Merton College, University of Oxford, 13th–14th century (from History of England)
Image 65Sir Francis Drake's voyage 1585–86 (from History of England)
Image 66Shoulder clasp from Sutton Hoo, 625 AD (from History of England)
Image 67King James I of England (from History of England)
Image 68First played in 1877, the Wimbledon Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. (from Culture of England)
Image 69The Battersea Shield (detail), 350 BC. (from History of England)
Image 70The Roman Baths in Bath; a temple was constructed on the site between 60–70CE in the first few decades of Roman Britain. (from Culture of England)
Image 71The Lady Chapel of Wells Cathedral (from Culture of England)
Image 72Procession of characters from Shakespeare's plays (from Culture of England)
Image 73The Great Fire London, 1666. (from History of England)
Image 74Flatford Mill ('Scene on a Navigable River') by John Constable, c. 1816 (from Culture of England)
Image 75King Henry VIII (from History of England)
Image 76Kingdoms and tribes in Britain, c. AD 600 (from History of England)
Image 77National performing arts are held annually at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as The Proms during the summer. (from Culture of England)
Image 78Maps of territory held by Royalists (red) and Parliamentarians (green) during the English Civil War (1642–1645) (from History of England)

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Did you know?

...that the HMS Queen (1902) was fitted with Babcock and Wilcox cylindrical boilers due to service problems with the water service boilers?
...that the Charter Roll is the administrative record created by the medieval office of the chancery that recorded all the charters issued by the chancery?
...that Canterbury in eastern Kent was abandoned at the end of the Roman period, but was resettled by the Saxons?
...that English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams has sold more albums in the United Kingdom than any other British solo artist in history?

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In the news

2 August 2024 – 2024 United Kingdom riots: Rioting occurs in Sunderland, England, United Kingdom, as hundreds of right-wing protesters attempt to march on a mosque and clash with riot police in the city centre. A police station is set on fire by rioters. (BBC News)
1 August 2024 – 2024 England riots: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer addresses the nation following civil unrest in Southport, Hartlepool, and Whitehall, accusing the "far-right" of being behind the violence. Starmer also warns social media platforms to crackdown on misinformation. (The Guardian)
31 July 2024 – 2024 England riots: Rioting occurs in Hartlepool, United Kingdom, reportedly in response to the Southport stabbing attack. At least eight people are arrested and a number of Cleveland Police officers are injured in the unrest. (BBC News)
30 July 2024 –: British Islamic preacher Anjem Choudary is sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 28 years for directing the al-Muhajiroun militant network. (ABC News)
29 July 2024 – 2024 Southport stabbing: Three children are killed and ten other people are injured in a mass stabbing at a dance school in Southport, Merseyside, England. A teenager is subsequently arrested. (BBC News)
21 July 2024 –: Six people, including two children, are killed in a multiple-vehicle collision in West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. (Sky News)

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“

An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.

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— George Mikes

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Related WikiProjects

England • Bedfordshire • Brighton • Cheshire • Cornwall • Derbyshire • Dorset • Greater Manchester • Hampshire • Lincolnshire • London • Merseyside • Northamptonshire • North East England • Sheffield • Surrey. Warwickshire • West Midlands • Worcestershire • Yorkshire

Topics

Cities and major towns: Blackpool • Birmingham • Bristol • Chelmsford • Leeds • Liverpool • London • Manchester • Newcastle • Nottingham • Oxford • Portsmouth • Sheffield • Southampton • Stoke-on-Trent

Culture: The Football Association • Rugby Football Union • England and Wales Cricket Board • English inventions and discoveries

Geography: Geology • Climate • Mountains and hills • Islands • Rivers

Economy: Bank of England • London Stock Exchange • Chancellor of the Exchequer • Monetary Policy Committee • HM Treasury

History: Timeline of English history • Prehistoric Britain • Roman Britain • Anglo-Saxon England • Norman England • Plantagenet England • House of Lancaster • House of York • House of Tudor • House of Stuart

Governance: Kingdom of England • Prime Minister of the United Kingdom • Parliament of the United Kingdom • Home Secretary • Local Government Boundary Commission for England • Administrative divisions of England • English law

Symbols: Flags • Flag of England • St George's Cross • Tudor rose • Coat of arms of England

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