Chapter C : The Region

1 : The Kingdom

The geographical insularity survives, despite a
good? rail service to the Capital, because other
transport links are well below modern standards
(esp. road and rail to the Midlands and North).

[ It is not our present purpose to argue for closer
integration, using better roads or rail; nor, conversely,
for less inter-dependence (via Regional Government) -
although such demands are not mutually exclusive,
nor at all unreasonable ! ]

We have noted instances of both kinds
of influence upon the dialect:-

(a) Independence (originality?) of thought gives :
      he goo; the booy John; next Monday . . .

(b) Insularity holds onto archaic forms :
      (durs(t) no(t); he wri(t); do you goo) -
      long after others have abandoned them.

We have also noted how the mental insularity is
being steadily eroded, both by the "media" and
patterns of immigration.

But it can take generations to change outlooks . . .

^Top^

2 : Boundaries

(a) Where exactly was the Iceni Kingdom?
      (i.e. what were its boundaries?)

(b) What are the limits of the present-day
      East Anglia?

(c) Why don't they match (assuming they don't)?

(d) How widespread is the "Norfolk" dialect,
      in reality?

The "media" companies are probably the most
autocratic and prescriptive on the subject of
where the boundaries should be nowadays.
Nevertheless, it is a very welcome fact that
Anglia TV is still based in Norwich,
rather than Cambridge or Ipswich.

Most other public or quasi-public bodies are fairly
defensive about their geographical decisions
(partly because they are always upsetting
borderline folk by making changes).
They are usually happy to detail the numbers
and locations of all their major resources
(hospitals, reservoirs, courts etc.) - as "reasons" . . .

This does not alter the fact that these bodies
- almost without exception - are different
in area and boundary terms; so they cannot
all be "right" in historical or cultural terms.

As for (d) we are taking a "rain-check" on that too !!
Which just leaves (b) . . .

^Top^

3 : The Piece Of String

Before the railways, and before the Dutch engineers
drained the Fenlands, will do nicely.

Main Rule (repetition of) :-
"West of Downham Market is North of Norwich".

After the railways, a later Main Rule does just as well :

"Norfolk is cut-off -
to the N. and E. by the sea;
to the S. and W. by the
London and N. Eastern Railway".

Sadly, Dutch engineers notwithstanding
(or with drowning), little enough has
changed on the transport front.
A train-journey to London is usually the precursor
to going anywhere else - adding time and expense.

^Top^

4 : Conclusions

First Conclusion :-
The region does not extend westwards
beyond the Marshlands.

So really only "Silly Suffolk" stands between "us"
and the rest of the UK land-mass. Perhaps this is
why our ancestors so readily took to the seas . . .

Which just leaves the question : how far
south of Ipswich before you become a Cockney?

Well, elsewhere I have indicated zero miles;
which I will now graciously modify to 50%
of the Ipswich to Colchester distance.
Ungraciously I will not attempt the calculation,
as I am pretty sure the difference between

• that 50% distance and
• the distance from Ipswich
  to the Suffolk/Essex border,

Conclusion Two :-
East Anglia is only Norfolk and Suffolk (at a pinch).

For anyone still in doubt, I recommend
a visit to the Sutton Hoo exhibition centre.

^Top^

5 : Place Names

The following is very far from an exhaustive list.
See below.