The finest treasure in the whole Union
Seems to me that this issue with the portrayal of the Domesday Book as Britain’s finest treasure must be frustrating for other UK nations outside of England. What the National Archive people are saying is that the book is not only England’s finest treasure but it also trumps all the treasures available in other British nations. It’s a bold statement and one that I don’t think holds much water.
Oh, I don’t know: no need for sour grapes. I’m just wondering what the contenders are. Do we count archaelogical stuff (e.g. Skara Brae), architectural stuff (e.g. Edinburgh New Town), or what? Probably a silly idea, a monodimensional “finest”. Still, if we must look at a written thing, how about the Book of Kells? Apparently there’s some evidence to suggest that it was probably written in what is now Scotland. Lets demand The Return of the Book of Kells.
“Do we count archaelogical stuff”. I have no idea; the idea of the finest treasure in the whole Union seems a little difficult to establish to me. Certainly I would have thought that some significant public consultation of some kind would be appropriate. My guess is that the ‘choice’ of the book was pretty arbitrary.
I’m not sour about it. I’m more than happy for an item of English origin to be hailed as the finest.
A fine treasure it may be, and indeed it is appropriate for it to rank amongst our finest especially considering its original tax collecting purpose.
“especially considering its original tax collecting purpose.”
Haha! True enough.
Domesday witnesses the meekness of the English in accepting killer taxation. Plus ca change, as the Normans might say.