Neil Jopson

Writer exploring England's history, archaeology, folklore and landscape.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

England is a land of stories.

Some are true are true and some are not; many are a delightful mixture of myth and reality. But it's these stories that create a sense of what England was, is and will be.

We find them in ancient earthworks, strange local traditions and odd place names. They surround the local pub. Wherever you look there is a tale to be told.

I write about them at Tales of England.

I hope you will join me as I work on uncovering them, one place and one story at a time.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

Some photos I took at Salisbury Cathedral.

So much history and beauty resides in these places, like vessels for England's soul.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

An apt sighting while touring Salisbury Cathedral on Trafalgar Day.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

Hero

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

@VinnieSull1van @BygoneBritain @PubHistoryTours Caramel Shortbread

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

@Knowledgepoint Certainly feels like he should have a book or poem of his own (if one hasn't been written yet)!

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

@pittsmike @WiltshireMuseum Great pictures.

I also think this an excellent thread. Nail has well and truly been hit on the head.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

Finally finished reading 'Pendulum' by John Christopher.

Written in the 60s, it's a story of Britain's financial collapse and descent into revolutionary anarchy. Then there is a grim counter reaction. John Christopher, it is safe to say, did not do happy endings.

A thriller in the old sense of the world. Not great literature but a great story.

Feels quite relevant today.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

@artfletch Yes, it's a great spot to let the imagination roam.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

I was this many years old when I discovered yob is just boy spelt backwards.

Turns out it's an example of 19th century 'back slang', which was used amongst London market traders of the period.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

Spending some time in 'deep England.'

This time the New Forest.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

@ALucieSmith @Telegraph Even if European news wasn't so momentous it would still be an odd choice IMHO

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

Nearly finished reading 'Pendulum' by John Christopher.

Feels appropriate considering events in France.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

@HilarityjaneArt @SirEvanAmato It's one of those pieces of history I know about, but it's so awful it's like my brain won't let me dwell on it.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

The Union Jack.

Contrary to a modern myth you can call it the Union Jack wherever it is, on land or on sea.

Anyone who tells you it has to be called the Union flag is wrong.

Yes, you can call it either.

But most Brits who lived before the 2000s would have given you a funny look for calling it the Union flag.

[Neil Jopson @NeilJopson]

Great to see, but Union Jack please.

Calling it the Union flag is one of those ahistorical 21st century obsessions someone dreamt up as a way to make our history a little less interesting.

It's then wrapped it up in the 'you're clever if you call it the Union flag not Union Jack' nonsense.

[North East Museums @NE_Museums]

The moment Lord Collingwood's Union flag from the Battle of Trafalgar is revealed at Newcastle's Discovery Museum. It's on public display for the next two weeks (permanent exhibition coming next year). @HeritageFundUK and lots of donors have supported this.