Brilliant Britain : a Celebration of its Unique Traditions and Customs.

Brilliant Britain is an entertaining journey through the quirks, oddities and idiosyncrasies that define our nation and preserve us from the mundane and predictable, such as: the royal pomp and pageantry of the State Opening of Parliament and the less well-known swan-upping; unusual sports and pastimes, from bog snorkelling to worm charming; annual countrywide events including the May Day festivities and the beating of the bounds; dialects and slang, provincial foods and a recipe for the perfect chip butty. This book lifts the lid on a rich heritage of eccentricity and diversity, explo.

Front Cover; About the Author; Contents; Acknowledgements; Author's Note; Introduction; Festivals and Pageants; On Fire; In Bloom; Dance Fever; Music to the Ears; Sporting Life; Ball Games; Sport by Any Other Name; The People's Rights; Boundary and Land Rights; Ancient Charters; Myths and Folklore; The Art of Disguise; Ancient Rites and Rituals; Reparations for Medieval Misdemeanours; Superstition and Exorcism; Royal Connections; Language; Mother Tongue; Celtic Tongues; Great British Grub; Food Fights and Contests; Regional Repasts; The Capital; Curiouser and Curiouser