Cliffside at Reculver
Anglophilia? Sounds like a disease. However, the definition by Merriam Webster? “Unusual admiration or partiality for England, English ways, or things English.”
Millions of Americans have visited Britain, but as recently as the early 1900s, Americans still resented the British. However, despite tensions in our history, much of our culture derives from England. World War I set the foundations for what Churchill later called the “special relationship.” Our forces came together because of unfolding history and mutual benefits of a post-war world. Following the German defeat in 1918, President Wilson, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and France’s Georges Clemenceau, met at the Paris Peace Conference, bringing about the creation of the League of Nations. Its primary mission was to prevent world conflict again. Following the defeat of Germany and Japan in WWII, trade between the U. S. and Britain accelerated, including art, music, and literature–from Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling. In 1953, interest in the Royal family grew exponentially as Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne.
Famous Anglophiles:
There are other people out there like us, people obsessed with England and the island of Great Britain. People who would rather don a tweed cap and have a cup of tea than put on a baseball cap and drink a beer. Here’s a list of famous Anglophiles:
TOM CLANCY often writes lovingly about England in his novels. His most famous hero, Jack Ryan, is an Anglophile. London often plays an important role in his stories.
JOHNNY DEPP may live in the south of France, but he’s a known Anglophile. Oftentimes he’ll work on projects that are being shot and made in England.
MADONNA and GWYNETH PALTROW love England so much they went local, both married Brits.
GEORGE TAKEI: Sulu, from the original Star Trek series, is a confessed Anglophile.
KATE BOSWORTH admits that she’s a total Anglophile when it comes to men.
KIM CATTRALL was born in Liverpool and moved to Canada as a child. Living in London now, she prefers to work in Britain.
MIKE MYERS most famous role, Austin Powers, is a play on British Spy novel tradition and pokes great fun at British culture and civilization. Myers is actually Canadian and also holds British Citizenship thanks to his parents, who were born in Liverpool.
DREW BARRYMORE, a confessed Anglophile, visits often.
COURTNEY LOVE: Music wild child and former spouse of the late Kurt Cobain.
GILLIAN ANDERSON was actually raised in the UK. A few years ago, she returned to England and moved into a swank flat in hip Notting Hill.
QUENTIN TARANTINO is known to have an encyclopedia knowledge of British cinema.
10 Things Americans Love About Living In Britain.
- Accents: Cotton candy for your ears. The dullest story sounds lovely. The thickest person sounds brilliant.
- PLU: “People Like Us.” Brits are misconstrued as stuffy but really are a welcoming crowd.
- Sincerity: Brits don’t take compliments well. If a compliment makes it your way, it is genuine.
- Wit: Dry wit. It wouldn’t be GB if everyone was on their best behavior.
- History: Magnificent museums hold plenty of stories. Architecture, from Roman ruins to 5th century cathedrals to row houses on cobblestoned streets, history itself. Everywhere!
- Royals
- High-speed trains and flights to Europe: Gets to Paris by high-speed train in two hours.
- Grocery stores: Smaller than U.S. grocery stores and more manageable.
- Topping up: “Can I top up?” is a phrase you will be hearing yourself saying a lot. It means getting that little bit more, and it makes life a bit easier and situations way more pleasant. Go to the phone shop, and ask to “top up” your minutes. At the pub, “top up” your pint.
- Christmas: The Brits started celebrating “the holidays” even before Christ was born. Festivals took place in winter to praise the sun and hope for its return.
What do you love about England?
I’d love to hear.
