In my last article I explained why there is nothing more important to a cultural spirit than its myths and legends. To add on, it seems a good idea to list the core legends and tales of the English.
Today, I am not trying to list the greatest English literature (No Paradise Lost or Charles Dickens here), nor am I just listing the most iconic English fantasy (no Harry Potter here either). This is also not a comprehensive list of English folklore. I am specifically trying to define the works, ancient or recent, mythological or literary, that together make up the core modern English folk spirit.
As we are talking about the spirit of the modern English, not ancient Britons or Saxons, included are works of modern fiction that have managed to rise to the sane place as ancient Germanic and Celtic works. Like it or not, Tolkien is as much a part of English identity as Beowulf.
In no particular order:
Beowulf, unknown author
The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis
The Arthurian legend (also known as The Matter of Britain), countless authors
The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, unknown author
The History of the Kings of Britain, Goeffrey of Monmouth
The works of William Shakespeare
The Mabinogion, unknown author(s)
The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Bede
The Hobbit, Tolkien
The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Francis James Child (Suggested for its scope, but many works could be placed here)
The Exeter Book, unknown author
The Anglican Book of Common Prayer
The Adventures of Robin Hood, various versions
The Silmarillion, Tolkien
The Sherlock Holmes stories, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer
Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie (this one is almost an honorable mention, but I think Peter just makes the cut, especially considering the character’s numerous statues around England)
Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson (I’ve chosen this as the representation of the classic English seafaring novel, though others could take its place)
18-19th century English adventure stories (I’ve left this for last, because while this sub-genre is an essential part of the English canon, no one story can cover it. Examples would be the works of G.A. Henty, R.M. Ballantyne, and many others. This sub-genre gave birth to the entire modern adventure film genre and iconic characters like Indiana Jones)
If you were tasked with tutoring the last boy of English descent on the Earth, this is what you would need to cultivate his spirit.
If I’ve missed anything truly essential, let me know in the comments.
It’s wonderful to see G. A. Henty in here, even if he’s only mentioned. His and Tolkien’s books have influenced me almost as much as the Holy Bible. Keep it up brother!
Nice to see Bede and the BCP in there. If I was forced to choose one book to represent Number 20, I think The Coral Island by Ballantyne would be my choice. But you're quite right, no one story can cover that whole epic section.