England
- See United Kingdom or Great Britain for more on this topic. For the language, see English language.
England was a constituent country of the United Kingdom on Earth. Of all the nations on Earth, England was the one most visited by the Doctor. For this part, he ensured its safety from various threats.
Etymology
English was also used to refer to people, products or objects from England. The First Doctor told Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright that the meal provided by the TARDIS' food machine contained "English" bacon. (TV: The Daleks) English was also one of the principal languages of the human race. (TV: The End of the World, et al.)
Geography
England was south of Scotland, (TV: Tooth and Claw) and east of Wales. (TV: Boom Town, TV: Children of Earth: Day One) It was separated from the mainland of Europe by the English Channel. (TV: The Sea Devils)
The capital of England was London up until the 24th century when London was absorbed into Central City. (TV: "Strangers in Space")
Influence on the Doctor
The majority of the Doctor's visits to England followed the creation of the United Kingdom, but he still visited the country many times prior to this. (TV: The Time Meddler, et al.) Of all the countries in the UK, it was England that influence him the most. He adopted much of its customs, dress, and other cultural elements. Many of the Doctor's companions were English. (TV: An Unearthly Child onwards) The Doctor once declared 19th century England to be his favourite time and place. (PROSE: The Banquo Legacy)
History
England was frequently the subject to various alien invasions, attacks, plans, intergalactic battles, experiments or conspiracies, particularly throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. It was the home to Torchwood One and UNIT operated throughout the country. (TV: The Dalek Invasion of Earth, Army of Ghosts, The Web of Fear, et al.) The Doctor visited it throughout its history, from the time of the Celts (AUDIO: The Relics of Time) to its journey into space as part of Starship UK. (TV: The Beast Below)
England founded the UK in 1705 when it passed the Alien Act, which forced the Scottish Parliament to negotiate full union with England. (TV: The Highlanders)
Sport
"England" was also frequently the casual name of sporting teams that represented the country in international play. The English cricket team who participated in The Ashes, for instance, was said to simply be "England". (PROSE: Graham Dilley Saves the World)
Cricket was popular within small communities who often had a village team. These teams would compete on a designated field known as a green. (TV: Black Orchid, et al.)
Football was the most popular sport in England, and one of the oldest. (COMIC: Doctor Who and the Nightmare Game, The Lodger, TV: The Lodger)
Other sports were popular within England. It had a long heritage of golf players and the sport was often played in a business manner. (TV: The Sea Devils)
