CULTURE

 

Language

English people traditionally speak the English language, a member of the West Germanic language family.

 

Folklore

English folklore is the folk tradition that has evolved in England over the centuries. England abounds with folklore, in all forms, from such obvious manifestations as semi-historical Robin Hood tales, to contemporary urban myths and facets of cryptozoology such as the Beast of Bodmin Moor. .

Examples of surviving English folk traditions include the Morris dance and related practices such as the Abbots Bromley Thorn Dance and the Mummers Play. In many, usually rural places, people still gather for May Day festivals on the first of May to celebrate the beginning of summer. This traditionally involves local children skipping around a maypole - a large pole erected on the village green (historically a tree would have been specially cut down) - each carrying a coloured ribbon, resulting in a multi-coloured plaited pattern.  Many regional variations of the festivals exist; the oldest still practised today is the "'Obby 'Oss festival of Padstow, which dates back to the 14th century.

 

Law

The Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, London is the seat of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal.

English law is the legal system of England and Wales. Due to the British Empire, it has been exported across the world: it is the basis of common law jurisprudence of most Commonwealth countries

   

Science

The English have played a significant role in the development of science. Prominent individuals have included Isaac Newton, Francis Crick, Abraham Darby, Michael Faraday, Charles Darwin, Joseph Swan, Frank Whittle and Stephen Hawking.

 

Philosophy

English philosophers include Francis Bacon, Sir Tomas More, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Thomas Paime, John Stuart Mill and Bertrand Russell.