The Tories (from an Irish word for outlaw, robber, brigand) always harp on about making our children learn about BRITISH history. I actually agree with them - but not the very selective version that they choose to believe - of Kings and benevolent nobles - of a happy Empire, with our role in the slave trade airbrushed out.
Our history is full of radicals and rebels. Our parliamentary democracy was not gifted by generous rulers - it was hard fought for, and fiercely resisisted by the forces of 'conservatism'. The idea of absolute monarchy was challenged from the start. William the Conqueror found his claims to ownership of England met resistance and this continued until his death. Henry II had to submit to humiliation after the murder of Thomas Becket. King John was forced to accept the Magna Carta - and when he reneged the French were invited to step in to help. The principle that the King could not raise taxes without the agreement of Parliament (and the House of Commons in particular) can be traced, at least, to the reign of Henry III (1260s). The Peasants staged their famous revolt in 1381 - and many Kings found they were challenged by uprisings of the 'lower orders'. When Charles I claimed a 'divine right of Kings' and declared war on his own people - he lost his head. When his son James II started to get similar ideas he was run out of town. Radical ideas thrived in the era of the civil war (the Putney debates are worth reading) - and Thomas Paine shared his revolutionary ideas with both the Americans and the French. Party Conferences in the 21st Century are held on the site of "Peterloo" and the Tolpuddle Martyrs are still commemorated every year. The Suffragettes won their battle with the establishment - and resistance in Ireland led finally to the establishment of the Irish Free State. Colonialism was ended both by resistance in the countries themselves and through activism within Britain.
The Brits don't take things lying down! - and long may that tradition continue.
I have two excellent books at home, which are inspirational -
But you can't beat the works of Thomas Paine. I was inspired (as countless others have been since he influenced the American and French Revolutions) by his writings over 40 years ago - and it is good to revisit him. [And when we visited the 1798 Rebellion Centre in Enniscorthy last week - it was a thrill to see the central position he is given in that centre]
Britain has a progressive heritage it can justly be proud of.
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