In the mid-1500s, England attempted to expand its influence in Ireland by establishing plantations there. This same process would soon be applied to North America. In this episode, we explore those early attempts at Irish colonization and England’s first encounters with the region of Florida. We also examine the connection between these events and efforts during this period to make English spelling more phonetic and consistent.
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The Planter’s Daughter by Austin Clarke
When night stirred at sea
And the fire brought a crowd in,
They say that her beauty
Was music in mouth
And few in the candlelight
Thought her too proud,
For the house of the planter
Is known by the trees.
Men that had seen her
Drank deep and were silent,
The women were speaking
Wherever she went –
As a bell that is rung
Or a wonder told shyly,
And O she was the Sunday
In every week.
Interesting you say that the ‘English’ invaded Ireland yet the English were hardly in charge in their own land. More correctly you should say that it was the ‘French’ House of Anjou and their empire which England was a part of at that time.
I would contend that England would not consider itself one country until the loss of Calais under the reign of Queen Mary
Sorry, I replied without getting my facts straight. Henry ll was king, a Plantagenet, born in France 1154 and died there in 1189. Im sure English men took part. But at that time they would be subject to their masters’ will. The master would quite likely be Norman and consider their allegiance to the throne and not England.
I think that England as an identity was not really formed until Elizabeth l was on the throne. Following the loss of Calais during the reign of her sister Mary. I do feel that William Shakespeare underlined this wish for unity of a kingdom in his (John of Gaunt) speech ‘This sceptre isle’.
But that is just my thoughts on the concept of English as a national identity.
I started listening a long time ago an I wait avidly every month for the next episode. Reminds me of being a child and the expectation of the next issue of my weekly comic to arrive on the doormat 😉
Thanks Kevin
Is the transcript going to be added?
Yes, I’ll add it soon.
Thanks a lot! It really helps me as a non-native English speaker
The transcript has now been added.
Interesting episode! Would it be possible to get a bibliography for this episode?
Hi Sara. I have added the transcript of the episode. The transcript includes citations for all written resources used in the episode. I hope that helps.
Thank you for all the time you put into preparing these episodes. I feel smarter after listening. Keep up the great work
Hello, Kevin! I’ve been enjoying your podcasts for quite a while and I would like to thank you for the information you give, it really is enlightening.
The only problem is – I am from Russia, and I now find it impossible to listen to the podcast without using VPN. Does it mean that you have blocked the podcast for Russian citizens?
No. I haven’t changed anything on my end. This is the first time anyone has mentioned a problem with the feed in Russia. If you having a problem accessing the episodes, it may have something to do with the provider you are using. I assume you can listen to the episodes directly through this website.