How did England get its name? January 28, 2009
Posted by askpari in Angle Land, Island of Britain, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.Tags: Britons, England, Great Britain, Invaders, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
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“England” is short for “Angle Land” so-called because the land was once ruled by people known as angels. England is one of the four counties that make up Great Britain.
Long ages ago England was inhabited by people known as Britons. It is from them that the island of Britain got its name.
Britain was invaded several times in its early history. Among the many invaders that swept in from the mainland of Europe to settle in Britain were the Angels. The angles took over the parts of what is now England and the country became known as Angle Land.
When Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales joined with England, the whole nation became known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The name of the Kingdom is usually shortened to “Great Britain” or “United Kingdom”.
Because England is the largest of the four countries and has controlled the others for hundreds of years, we often say “England” when we mean the whole nation.
Photo courtesy: bugbog
