Portal:England

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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 about 62%, and more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. England shares a land border with Scotland to the north and another land border with Wales to the west, and is 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 extensive 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 amongst 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 London metropolitan area has a population of over 15 million as of 2025, 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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One of Molyneux's celestial globes, which is displayed in Middle Temple Library – from the frontispiece of the Hakluyt Society's 1889 reprint of A Learned Treatise of Globes, both Cœlestiall and Terrestriall, one of the English editions of Robert Hues' Latin work Tractatus de Globis (1594)

Emery Molyneux (/ˈɛməri ˈmɒlɪnoʊ/ EM-ər-ee MOL-in-oh; died June 1598) was an English Elizabethan maker of globes, mathematical instruments and ordnance. His terrestrial and celestial globes, first published in 1592, were the first to be made in England and the first to be made by an Englishman.

Molyneux was known as a mathematician and maker of mathematical instruments such as compasses and hourglasses. He became acquainted with many prominent men of the day, including the writer Richard Hakluyt and the mathematicians Robert Hues and Edward Wright. He also knew the explorers Thomas Cavendish, Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh and John Davis. Davis probably introduced Molyneux to his own patron, the London merchant William Sanderson, who largely financed the construction of the globes. When completed, the globes were presented to Elizabeth I. Larger globes were acquired by royalty, noblemen and academic institutions, while smaller ones were purchased as practical navigation aids for sailors and students. The globes were the first to be made in such a way that they were unaffected by the humidity at sea, and they came into general use on ships. (Full article...)

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Chelmsford (/ˈtʃɛlmzfəd/) is a city in Essex, England. It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Colchester and Southend-on-Sea. It is located 31 miles (50 km) north-east of Charing Cross in London, and 22 miles (35 km) south-west of Colchester. At the 2021 census the built up area had a population of 110,625. It gives its name to the wider Chelmsford local government district which also covers an extensive surrounding area.

Chelmsford as a settlement started growing after 1100 AD, when a bridge across the River Can was built. The town grew in importance after King John issued a Royal Charter in 1196, allowing Chelmsford to host a market, and by 1219 the town had become the county town of Essex. Chelmsford was involved in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381, and King Richard II moved on the town after quelling the revolt in London. In 1516, King Henry VIII purchased the Boleyn estate, building Beaulieu Palace, located on the current site of New Hall School. (Full article...)

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General images

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

Image 1A traditional Punch and Judy booth, at Swanage, Dorset, England (from Culture of England)
Image 2A pint of real ale (from Culture of England)
Image 3Geoffrey Chaucer, c. 1340s–1400, author of The Canterbury Tales (from History of England)
Image 4Flatford Mill ('Scene on a Navigable River') by John Constable, c. 1816 (from Culture of England)
Image 5The wizard Merlin features as a character in many works of fiction, including the BBC series Merlin. (from Culture of England)
Image 6Gold torc from Snettisham, 70 BC (from History of England)
Image 7William 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 8Anglo-Saxon king with his Witan. Biblical scene in the Old English Hexateuch (11th century) (from History of England)
Image 9Portrait 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 10King'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 11National performing arts are held annually at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as The Proms during the summer. (from Culture of England)
Image 12Sir 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 13Remains of the Roman baths at Bath, England. (from History of England)
Image 14Edward Elgar is one of England's most celebrated classical composers. (from Culture of England)
Image 15Whitehall by Francis Dodd (1920) displaying the Palace of Westminster (from Culture of England)
Image 16First English Civil War at the Battle of Marston Moor, 1644 (from History of England)
Image 17King Alfred the Great statue in Winchester, Hampshire. The 9th-century English king encouraged education in his kingdom. (from Culture of England)
Image 18Canterbury Cathedral nave, 1377 (from History of England)
Image 19The Spanish Armada and English ships in August 1588, (unknown, 16th-century, English School) (from History of England)
Image 20Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol played a major role in reviving the "spirit" of Christmas and seasonal goodwill. (from Culture of England)
Image 21Interior of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford (from Culture of England)
Image 22Dover Castle, 12th–13th century (from History of England)
Image 23The English landscape garden at Stourhead, described as a 'living work of art' when first opened in the 1750s (from Culture of England)
Image 24England 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 25The Fairy Ring by William Holmes Sullivan, c.1908 (from Culture of England)
Image 26Anglo-Saxon helmet from the Sutton Hoo ship burial, 625 AD (replica) (from History of England)
Image 27Durham Cathedral, dating from 1093 (from Culture of England)
Image 28King Charles II (from History of England)
Image 29The Billingsgate Fish Market in London in the early 19th century (from History of England)
Image 30The Ruthwell Cross, 8th century AD (from History of England)
Image 31Josiah Wedgwood was a leading entrepreneur in the Industrial Revolution. (from Culture of England)
Image 32The Lindisfarne Gospels (from Culture of England)
Image 33King James I of England (from History of England)
Image 34Elizabeth I (from History of England)
Image 35First played in 1877, the Wimbledon Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world. (from Culture of England)
Image 36Countries where English is natively spoken or has official status (from Culture of England)
Image 37Maps of territory held by Royalists (red) and Parliamentarians (green) during the English Civil War (1642–1645) (from History of England)
Image 38Shoulder clasp from Sutton Hoo, 625 AD (from History of England)
Image 39Kingdoms and tribes in Britain, c. AD 600 (from History of England)
Image 40Tomb of Richard I of England and Isabella of Angoulême (from History of England)
Image 41The Lady Chapel of Wells Cathedral (from Culture of England)
Image 42The epic poem Beowulf, set in 6th century Scandinavia, composed c. 700–1000 AD. (from History of England)
Image 43Francis 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 44Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 720 AD (from History of England)
Image 45Depiction of the Battle of Hastings (1066) on the Bayeux Tapestry (from History of England)
Image 46King 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 47Stinking Bishop cheese (from Culture of England)
Image 48The Alfred Jewel, late 9th century (from History of England)
Image 49Christopher Lee (seen here as Dracula in 1958) starred in many of Hammer's British horror films. (from Culture of England)
Image 50The 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 51Jack 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 52The Battersea Shield (detail), 350 BC. (from History of England)
Image 53Remains of Hadrian's Wall (from History of England)
Image 54Alfred 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 55Canterbury 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 56The 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 57The White Tower of the Tower of London, built in 1078 (from History of England)
Image 58Morris dancing (from Culture of England)
Image 59Victory in Europe Day celebrations in London, 8 May 1945 (from History of England)
Image 60Artefacts from Bush Barrow at Stonehenge. Wessex culture, Early Bronze Age, c. 1900 BC (from History of England)
Image 61Silbury Hill, c. 2400 BC (from History of England)
Image 62King Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649 (from History of England)
Image 63England in 878 (from History of England)
Image 64Durham Cathedral. The Norman cathedral was built 1093–1133 (from History of England)
Image 65The Royal College of Music is the oldest conservatoire in the UK, established by royal charter in 1882. (from Culture of England)
Image 66King Henry VIII (from History of England)
Image 67Chester, c. 1880 (from History of England)
Image 68Sir Francis Drake's voyage 1585–86 (from History of England)
Image 69The Mob Quad of Merton College, University of Oxford, 13th–14th century (from History of England)
Image 70The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork yet found. It consists of almost 4,600 items and metal fragments. (from Culture of England)
Image 71View of the ramparts of the hillfort of Maiden Castle (450 BC), as they look today (from History of England)
Image 72Frontispiece 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 73Bronze coins of Cunobelin, called "King of the Britons" by Suetonius. 1–42 AD. (from History of England)
Image 74Stonehenge, erected in several stages from c.3000–2500 BC (from History of England)
Image 75The Great Fire London, 1666. (from History of England)
Image 76Procession of characters from Shakespeare's plays (from Culture of England)
Image 77The Procession Picture, c. 1600, showing Elizabeth I borne along by her courtiers (from History of England)
Image 78One of only four surviving exemplifications of the 1215 text, Cotton MS. Augustus II. 106, property of the British Library (from History of England)
Image 79Portrait of Edward VI, c. 1550 (from History of England)

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Cheddar Gorge is a limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills, near the village of Cheddar, Somerset, England. The gorge is the site of the Cheddar show caves, where Great Britain's oldest complete human skeleton, Cheddar Man, estimated to be 9,000 years old, was found in 1903. Older remains from the Upper Late Palaeolithic era (12,000–13,000 years ago) have been found. The caves, produced by the activity of an underground river, contain stalactites and stalagmites. The gorge is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest called Cheddar Complex.

Cheddar Gorge, including the caves and other attractions, has become a tourist destination. In a 2005 poll of Radio Times readers, following its appearance on the television programme Seven Natural Wonders (2005), Cheddar Gorge was named as the second greatest natural wonder in Great Britain, surpassed only by Dan yr Ogof caves. The gorge attracts about 500,000 visitors per year. (Full article...)

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Did you know?

...that the Rev. Arthur Wagner, the first curate of the Church of St. Paul, Brighton, England, commissioned stained glass windows of his mother, father and aunt for the church?
...that Scots' Dike was constructed by the English and the Scots in 1552 to mark the division of the Debatable Lands and thereby settle the exact boundary between the kingdoms of Scotland and England?
...that the famed message "England expects that every man will do his duty" is misquoted on Nelson's Column in London?

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In the news

19 March 2026 –: The King Charles III England Coast Path, the world's longest coastal footpath, is formally opened by Charles III. (BBC News)
18 March 2026 – 2026 Kent meningitis outbreak: Rollouts of the meningococcal vaccine begin at the University of Kent in England in the wake of a recent meningococcal outbreak that killed two people amidst a rise in cases. (The Standard)
16 March 2026 –: A police report in New York formally reveals English street artist Banksy's identity as 51-year-old Robin Gunningham from Bristol, England. (ABC News) (The Telegraph)
15 March 2026 – 2026 Kent meningitis outbreak: Two people are killed and eleven others are hospitalized in serious condition following a meningitis outbreak at the University of Kent in Canterbury, Kent, England. (BBC News)
14 March 2026 – 2026 Six Nations Championship: In rugby union, France defeats England 48–46 to win the Six Nations Championship in the final. (The Guardian)
7 March 2026 – Soham murders: Child murderer Ian Huntley dies in a hospital nine days after being attacked by a fellow inmate at HM Prison Frankland in County Durham, England, United Kingdom. (BBC News)

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“

I have seen much to hate here, much to forgive. But in a world where England is finished and dead, I do not wish to live.

”

— Alice Duer Miller

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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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