The English in the popular imaginationWe often take for granted the existence of a place called ‘England’ and a community of those living there to be ‘English’. It was probably chosen to distinguish the Germanic people in Britain - the ‘Anglisaxones’ (English Saxons) – from continental ‘Old Saxons’ still living in Old Saxony in Germany. And the term ‘English’ had deep resonance because it was also one intimately linked to Christian faith. But Alfred’s kingdom included those culturally recognisable as Welsh, and the newly minted English kingdom of his grandson, Athelstan, included Norse as well, many of whom were pagan. Once more the term ‘English’ and ‘England’ was culturally inclusive as it had always been – however it might appear at first glance.