[DanaC]

As long as I can have a nice cup of tea and a digestive biscuit I really dont give a hoot. .... Smashing read Marichiko, you really are a brick, that was positively wizard. *sips from a cup of tea*

I think this is my favourite bit ...."We British have almost 1,000 years experience in over-running lesser-developed nations starting with the Battle of Hastings in 1066. We do not find the antics of upstarts such as the American colonials amusing."

Very funny....even though the historian in me rebels at the idea of Hastings being the start :P A friend of mine and i have a long running argument about whther or not the Normans were superior and the outcome assured or whether in fact history has coloured them that way only with hindsight. What looks from our time like an obvious result simply by dint of it having happened that way, looked at the time like an impossible and (to many) reckless undertaking. Not many battles lasted as long as Hastings did. Up front and personal, close armed combat from first light to dying day and no clear lead for much of that. The English crown at the time was highly regarded and the state machinery the envy of many nations. The Norman state was young and militaristic. It had much in it's favour but it's state machinery was weak compared to England's. Added to that the fact that there is evidence ( though like most it is inconclusive) that Harold had in fact fought off an earlier attempt at the crossing and sent Williams fleet back across the channel to take refuge and that this has been later expressed as his being waylaid by a terrible storm...This having held a national army and navy at the ready for approximately 3 months. 3 months quartering and supplying an army, patrolling the waters etc etc. Thats not a less developed Nation. *coughs* sorry......I lose perspective on the whole anglo norman thing

Umm....I did think that bit was funny though....Also loved Philip with his umbrella *chuckles* ahh....rain....love it or loathe it it still drips down your collar.