When I was growing up, in the hallway hung a painting. It was a replica of the Haywain by John Constable. I am not sure why my parents had this in their house, as they weren't appreciators of art. In fact, I don't recall any other paintings in the house at all.
The Haywain was finished in 1821 and recently had its 200th anniversary. It is consider by critics to be one of the most important paintings in the history of English art.
However, unlike Turner, his contemporary, we do not see a changing landscape with mills and steam engines in his paintings. His work appears to be trying to capture the essence of England, not attempting to reflect the present reality at his time. The land he painted was where the Industrial Revolution was not in its infancy. It was an idealised land, which is alive in the deep nostalgic recesses of the English soul.
There must be a reason why this painting captures the attention of the English. Even those who are not experts in brush strokes, palettes and painting techniques.
I think it is popular, because it resonates with the English Dream. Whereas the American Dream is about the heroic individual fighting to achieve a goal against all odds. Their dream is where you start with nothing and become a leader of industry, through your own hard work and effort.
The English Dream is vastly different. Firstly, it is primarily rural.
Paul Evans - Sea of Bluebells
If I asked you to think about Britain, what is the first image that comes to mind? Most often, it will be Big Ben or Tower Bridge. If I asked you to think about England, the first image would be a wide landscape. When asked by pollsters, most English understand England to be the unfolding countryside, not the city landmarks.
Unlike other countries, the English countryside is almost tame. It is considerably far safer than the modern English cities. The countryside feels like home to the English. Going for a walk on the Dales, or the Downs or through the Somerset Levels, reinvigorates. Having a BBQ and beer outdoors in the inclement weather is part of the English celebration of life.
The Dream also reflects a local tight-knit village community. We see this reflected in one of the longest running TV British sitcoms, The Last of the Summer Wine. The series lasted for 37 years and charted the life of a small village in West Yorkshire. Where everyone knew each other, they went on silly adventures and it felt like the countryside wasn’t just a backdrop, but an essential character in the series.
Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall’s TV show ‘Escape to River Cottage’ enchanted viewers at the turn of the Century. He lived out the dream of buying a cottage in the countryside and getting involved in village life. Popping along to the local fete, selling his wares in the market town and joining the local cider club for refreshments.
My personal confession is I longed for this dream. I grew up in London, far from the countryside. I remember watching Jack Hargreaves’ Out of Town in the 1980s with my Dad. I become confused about what I was watching. What was this magical place I was seeing? Was this the true England?
Over the years of British television, there have been many shows which give both suburban and urban audiences the taste of the English countryside. Clarissa and the Countryman, To The Manor Born, Midsomer Murders and many more.
It wasn’t until I moved out to deepest Surrey, living amongst the woods, that I felt I experienced the physicality of the English Dream. I prepared my first wild rabbit for a stew, became a patron of the local village pub and went on many country walks. I bought a nature book and started spotting all the different kinds of birds, plants and trees. I still recall my excitement when I first saw a woodpecker and the Elephant Hawkmoth, the largest moth in England.
I recently came across the work of landscape painter Harry Brioche. Even though he originally hails from the Caribbean, he seems to capture the English Dream. He uses the enchanted English light and paints the most alluring dreamlike landscapes.
Harry Brioche - Distant Blue
In some way, this painting reminds me of Constable’s Haywain. Harry is looking at the countryside in an ‘unreal’ way. It’s like it is a distillation of the essence of the Spirit of England. The English Dream on canvas.
A good summary of this English Dream can be seen in the first half of the Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. There is a party, where the whole town comes together for a celebration of Bilbo’s birthday. The joy and fun threaded through these early scenes in the Trilogy, makes me feel like I am home. Hobbiton is the mythical reflection of the English version of Dreamtime.
In his writings, I believe Tolkien was simply relaying to his English audiences what the English Dream is all about. Living long in a tight-knit community, amongst woods and fields. Feasting and drinking and laughing and chatting and spending days playing games. And having tremendous fun with it!
So I would encourage us all to embrace the English Dream. Go to the pub. Embark on long country ambles. Attend the local village church. Join a local association. And act like a hobbit.
Alexander writes three newsletters. The Tales of Old England Christendom is where he writes about Anglo-Saxon Christianity. The second newsletter is called the Tower of Adam and here he writes about theology. The final one is called Agloria, where he discusses the intersection between culture and theology. You can find out more by clinking the links.
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