Population Studies in Medieval Britain

British Isles

• The British Isles is a legal and geographical term referring to Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Ireland (both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland).
• It also includes the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey).
• The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign state, distinct from the UK.

British Isles Geography

• The main islands are Great Britain and Ireland.
• There are over 6,000 smaller islands, including the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands.
• The term is politically sensitive, particularly in Ireland, due to connotations of British dominion.

Crown Dependencies

• These are self-governing territories under the British Crown but are not part of the United Kingdom.
• Examples include the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Imagined Community

• A social construct existing in people's minds, even without personal interaction among members.
• Shared traits include symbols, narratives, institutions, or cultural identities (eg. "the British people" or "global Christian community").
• Key elements include the shared understanding of an imagined community fostering belonging through symbols and collective imagination.

Real Community

• A real community involves personal interaction and tangible relationships.
• Examples include villages, neighborhoods, and workplaces.

Symbols of Britishness

• The Union Jack (national flag).
• The Crown (monarchy).
• Red telephone boxes and postboxes.
• The British Bulldog (resilience).
• The Cup of Tea
• The Queen's Guard.
• English Breakfast.

Vexillology

• The scientific study of flags, and the art of flag design.

Census

• A comprehensive survey of all people and households in a country, used to collect demographic, social, and economic data.
• Early records include those of Babylonia.
• Modern censuses aim to include more diverse ethnic identities.

Beveridge Report

• A 1942 report outlining a plan to address the "Five Giant Evils" (want, disease, ignorance, squalor, idleness) in Britain, leading to the welfare state.
• Emphasized policies including universal healthcare, unemployment benefits, pensions, and free education.

Butler Education Act

• 1944 Act introduced by R.A. Butler.
• Created a tripartite education system (grammar schools, technical schools, and secondary modern schools).
• Increased school-leaving age to 15.

Post-War Recovery

• Labour Party won the 1945 election.
• Clement Attlee became Prime Minister.
• Establishment of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948.

The Affluent 1950s

• A period of relative prosperity and economic growth.
• End of rationing.
• Declining crime rates.
• Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's declaration: "British people have never had it so good."

The Swinging Sixties (1960s)

• Social and cultural change, symbolized by sexual liberation, changing censorship, and the music revolution (Beatles).
• Influential fashion and art figures such as Jann Haworth, Pauline Boty, Twiggy.

Everything Was Going Wrong (1970s)

• A period characterized by industrial unrest, economic woes, and social unrest.
• Frequent strikes, inflation, and terrorism (IRA).
• Decline in global influence.

The Birth of Modern Britain

• 1971: Decimalization of currency.
• 1974: Free contraception for women on the NHS.
• 1975: Sex Discrimination Act.
• 1978: First test-tube baby.

The Shopping Centre Boom

• Suburban shopping centers emerge in Britain.

Heritage Cinema

• British films portrayed a romanticized version of pre-WWII Britain.

1980s: Thatcherism

• Margaret Thatcher elected Prime Minister in 1979.
• Key policies included privatization, union busting, economic growth, and council house sales.

1990s

• Labour Party's victory led to a period of change and cultural evolution.

British Constitution

• An uncodified constitution made up of statutes, common law, conventions, and historical documents.
• Key sources include Statute Law (Parliament acts), Common Law (judge-made law), Conventions (unwritten) and Works of Authority.

Separation of Powers

• UK has a fusion of powers, particularly between the executive (government) and legislature (Parliament).
• The Executive (government) is led by the Prime Minister.

Houses of Parliament

• Composed of the House of Commons (elected MPs) and the House of Lords (appointed members).
• The House of Commons is the more powerful chamber.

13th Century Parliament History

• Medieval councils (Witan) advised the king.
• 1066: Norman Conquest, establishment of the Great Council.
• 1265: Simon de Montfort called the first Parliament with commoners.
• 1295: Edward I's "Model Parliament," a structure still recognized today.

The Great Fire and Rebuilding

• The Palace of Westminster burned down in 1834.
• Rebuilt in a Gothic Revival style, designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, incorporating the iconic Big Ben.

House of Lords

• Upper chamber with less authority than the House of Commons.
• Members are appointed or inherit their seats including hereditary peers, bishops, and life peers.

The Black Rod

• A royal official responsible for maintaining order in the House of Lords.

Royal Assent

• The monarch's formal approval needed for a law to become effective.

British Democracy

• Timeline of key developments from Magna Carta to women's suffrage.

The German Connection

• The British royal family had many German connections throughout history (George I being a German Prince).
• The German connections continued, even during WWI.
• The House of Windsor was created to avoid PR issue during WWI.

The Evolution of Representation

• The monarchy changed its representations through time reflecting shifts in technology and society.
• The monarch's representation shifted, particularly with the advent of media such as radio and television.

21st Century (Monarchy and Media)

• Public support for the monarchy has declined, particularly among young people.
• Social media has increased scrutiny and criticism on the monarchy and reduced its mystique.