9 National stereotypes (features of the English character).

The "Stiff Upper Lip": This stereotype of emotional restraint and resilience under pressure is deeply ingrained but often exaggerated. Historically, it was promoted as a virtue, particularly during times of crisis.

Queuing (нахождение в очереди) and Politeness: The English are often stereotyped as being obsessively polite, especially when queuing. This supposedly reflects a commitment to fairness and order. It's debatable how much this holds true in modern life, but it remains a persistent image.

Love of Tea: The association of tea with English identity is strong. The social rituals surrounding tea-drinking and a perceived reliance on tea as a comfort and problem-solving tool contribute to this stereotype. The tradition of drinking tea in England appeared in the middle of the 17th century, when tea was brought to the country. At first, the drink was sold in pharmacies as an expensive exotic medicine. Tea was presented as a remedy for "everything", designed to relieve stress, headaches and digestive problems. Tea received the status of a fashionable "aristocratic" drink thanks to the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II. She brought tea to England, which was exported to Portugal from China, and the habit of drinking it from porcelain dishes with sugar and milk. The British owe the spread of the drink to Thomas Garraway, the owner of one of the first tea and coffee shops. He published an advertisement in a London newspaper in which he called tea a cure for many diseases, and the local public reached out for a new remedy. The tradition of evening tea drinking (five-o'clock) appeared thanks to Anne, the Duchess of Bedford, in the early 19th century. She noticed that, feeling hungry, she could not wait for dinner, and ordered the servants to set the table at five o'clock in the evening and bring her tea with light snacks — cupcakes or cookies. This tea tradition quickly spread in the upper class of England, and then began to spread among the general population of the country.

Self-Deprecating Humor: The English are often portrayed as having a dry wit and a tendency towards self-deprecating humor. This can be seen as a way of avoiding arrogance or making light of difficult situations.

The "Island Mentality": The UK's insular geography has been linked to a perceived sense of detachment from continental Europe and a unique perspective on world affairs. This can sometimes be seen as a mixture of pride and isolationism.

!!!! The Tower of London

The story of the Tower begins in the 11th century, just after the Norman conquest of England. The foundation of the fortress is attributed to William I the Conqueror, who in 1066 began the construction of defensive castles to deter the conquered Anglo-Saxons and strengthen his power. The main building of the Tower was the White Tower (White Tower), a huge structure that combined the functions of the royal residence and the Norman donjon. The exact date of construction is not known, but it is traditionally believed that it was laid down in 1077 under the direction of Bishop Gandalf of Rochester. In different historical periods, the Tower was used as a fortress, royal residence and prison. In the Tower were kept the treasures of the English crown and languished in the imprisonment of important criminals. The Tower was partially rebuilt under kings Richard I Lionheart (1189-1199), Henry III (2nd-3rd quarter of the 13th century) and Edward I (second half of the 13th century). Most of the modern appearance was acquired by the 1st quarter of the 14th century. In the 19th century, the walls and towers of the Tower were rebuilt in historical style as part of the neo-gothic revival. During the 19th century, the mint (in 1810-1812), the zoo (in 1826-1835), the arsenal (in 1841-1855) and the archive (in 1850) were moved to other places in London, the Tower became primarily a museum. The Tower has not been used as a prison since 1952. In 1988, UNESCO declared the tower a world heritage site.