Land and Nation in England: Patriotism, National Identity and the Politics of Land, 1880-1914
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: History
Abstract
I am working on a book entitled "Land and Nation in England: Patriotism, National Identity, and the Politics of Land, 1880-1914". This book of approximately 90,000 words will be a distinctive contribution to the literature on the English "land question", which loomed large in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century political debate. Based on primary sources, it examines the strong links between agricultural and land reform politics, and contemporary ideas of national identity. Offering a thematic analysis aimed largely at an academic and student readership, it is the first book-length study of the relationship between Englishness and the politics of land.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Paul Readman (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Readman Professor Paul
(2008)
Land and Nation in England: Patriotism, National Identity, and the Politics of Land, 1880-1914
| Description | The project resulted in a book, "Land and Nation in England: Patriotism, National Identity and the Politics of Land, 1880-1914", which was published in hardback in 2008 and then subsequently in paperback. Published in the prestigious Royal Historical Society 'studies in history' series, this book was completed with the assistance of a term's worth of AHRC-funded leave in 2005-6. It is probably my most significant piece of research to date. Its significance lies in the fact that it offers the first book-length study of the relationship between Englishness and the politics of land - a relationship that has remained remarkably understudied despite the nationalistic resonance of the rural in modern English culture ('England is the country, and the country is England', as Stanley Baldwin famously remarked). Drawing on a broad range of material, from short stories by Rudyard Kipling to parliamentary debates, this book provides a sustained examination of the ideas that informed cultural debate on issues relating to the land, from paternalist 'pure squire Conservatism' to patriotic radical visions of a happy pre-enclosure England. It makes clear, as historians have yet to recognize, that the English land question excited interest, passion and controversy because it addressed contested issues of patriotism and national identity. The book has been favourably reviewed in leading academic journals. Among other accolades, it has been described as 'important and innovative' (Twentieth Century British History), an 'impressive addition to the output of a prolific historian' (Rural History), and the 'important' work of 'a gifted historian' that 'deserves to be widely read' (Parliamentary History). A reviewer in the journal 'History' declared it was 'destined to be the standard work for many years to come' |
| Exploitation Route | May be of use in informing policy, esp land use policy, in Britain: cf. work of "History and Policy" network of historians, especially the "environment" forums hosted by H&P, and in which the grant-holder has participated The book may be of some interest to general readers, given its cheap paperback price (£17) |
| Sectors | Education,Environment |
| Description | The findings of this project have been used by academics. The book arising from the project has been extensively cited by historians of modern British History. The book is also used in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Cultural |