What is... Yorkshire? [Episode 143]

British Culture: Albion Never Dies

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I have mentioned Yorkshire many times, but rarely focused on it. Time to rectify that. Yorkshire is a historic county of England, between the Pennies and the North Sea. It is England’s largest historical county with a history shaped by the Vikings (Danelaw), the War of the Roses (1455 – 1487), and the Industrial Revolution.
Famous Yorkshire folk include:

• Sean Bean, best known as ‘006’ in Goldeneye, and as Sharpe a kind of Napoleonic 007. The original Bernard Cornwell novels have Sharpe as a Londener, but this was reset for the show after casting Bean.
• Judi Dench, hard to know which is her best-known role, but I shall default to ‘M’ from the 007 films! Her Yorkshire accent only comes out with strong language.
• Diana Rigg (Mrs. James Bond) who is from Doncaster, just like Jeremy Clarkson, although they sound quite different. Clarkson’s original ‘BBC voice’ was closer to Rigg’s, he later dropped it for his more natural accent.
• Patrick Stuart (a non-Bond); in the 24th Century no one cares if you have hair (for men anyway)
• Pete Prostlewaite, Steven Spielberg called him "The best actor in the world"! He’s most famous for Jurassic Park 2 and Inception (he’s the old dude dying who prompts the story)… and of course, Brassed Off (1996) with a young Obi Wan Kenobi.

I also talk about a famous Yorkshire ‘anthem’:
Ilkla Mooar baht 'at Song Lyrics:
Wheear 'ast tha bin sin' ah saw thee, ah saw thee?
On Ilkla Mooar baht 'at
Tha's been a cooartin' Mary Jane
Tha's bahn' to catch thy deeath o` cowd
Then us'll ha' to bury thee
Then t'worms'll come an` eyt thee up
Then t'ducks'll come an` eyt up t'worms
Then us'll go an` eyt up t'ducks
Then us'll all ha' etten thee
That's wheear we get us ooan back
Don't worry, I provide a translation from the West Yorkshire dialect. I do attempt to read it in the dialect, please have patience with that!

Finally, I wrap up with 8 suggestions for days out in Yorkshire.

1. Steam through stunning countryside
2. Amble down the Shambles in York
3. Walk in the Dales
4. Indulge in a local speciality
5. Follow in Captain Cook’s footsteps
6. Tuck into fish & chips in Whitby
7. Visit one of Britain’s greatest stately homes
8. Have afternoon tea at Bettys

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