wilywilf does have a good point. I think internationally its always perceived as a 'British thing' when in fact a good populate of this Island disagrees(we are not all English). On a religious note the English were almost entirely responsible for the crusades, not the other three nations here. I'm Scottish so I know what he means. It's a strange concept to understand from afar but simply put; if an american wins gold at olympics he is a truly great american, however, if a scotsman wins gold, he is a truly great Brit! Had it been a disaster he would have been a truly bad Scot!!! This ancient rule carries right across the board, from wars to religion...blame someone else. The English have long press-ganged for wealth and power.