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History, Reference, Research, and GrogTalk => Military (and other) History => Topic started by: LongBlade on April 15, 2012, 09:30:47 AM

Title: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: LongBlade on April 15, 2012, 09:30:47 AM
Interesting.

QuoteGeorge Washington has been named Britain's greatest ever foe, according to the UK's National Army Museum.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/04/15/george-washington-named-britain-greatest-ever-military-opponent
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: TheCommandTent on April 15, 2012, 10:31:36 AM
QuoteThe museum drew up a list of 20 candidates, which was whittled down to a shortlist of five. On Saturday, five historians presented the case for each commander to an audience of 70 guests at the west London museum who then voted.


That would have been interesting to listen to.  I am always curious about the rationale behind things like this.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: bob48 on April 15, 2012, 10:35:05 AM
Yeah, interesting. Although 'ol George never did anything to piss me off ;D
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Gusington on April 15, 2012, 03:38:55 PM
That is very cool. As an American I take that as a compliment! And I have to recommend the National Army Museum in London. I was there ~10 years ago and spent almost a whole day.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: LongBlade on April 15, 2012, 04:34:26 PM
Quote from: Gusington on April 15, 2012, 03:38:55 PM
That is very cool. As an American I take that as a compliment! And I have to recommend the National Army Museum in London. I was there ~10 years ago and spent almost a whole day.

Well, if you figure the cost of the loss, losing America as a colony probably ranks everything else - maybe everything else combined. So the rating is not without warrant.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: bob48 on April 15, 2012, 04:42:50 PM
Cup 'o tea, anyone?
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Centurion40 on April 15, 2012, 05:10:23 PM
I would thought that Hitler or Nappy would have eclipsed ole George.  Of course, this is for Britain's "greatest" foe and perhaps the Brits don't want to label Hitler as "great".
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Staggerwing on April 15, 2012, 05:27:15 PM
Quote from: Centurion40 on April 15, 2012, 05:10:23 PM
I would thought that Hitler or Nappy would have eclipsed ole George.  Of course, this is for Britain's "greatest" foe and perhaps the Brits don't want to label Hitler as "great".

Hitler's out because the rules require that the nominee has to have commanded troops in the field.
As far as Bonaparte, my guess is that he's too polarizing (or maybe to French...? something about
Hamster Mothers and Elderberry- scented Fathers?) to get the top nod.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: bob48 on April 15, 2012, 05:34:40 PM
Nah, not sure I follow this, but, Herr H and Nappy were tyrants, George was a patriot. The others wanted domination, GW wanted freedom for his country, and won. An honorable foe, perhaps.

But its hard to be be objective with some historical events, we judge by todays standards which can result in a slanted view of things.

Anyway - its too late to get me head round philosophical stuff like this - I'm off to bed!

Good night Gents.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: DoctorQuest on April 15, 2012, 08:07:09 PM
Quote from: Staggerwing on April 15, 2012, 05:27:15 PM
Quote from: Centurion40 on April 15, 2012, 05:10:23 PM
I would thought that Hitler or Nappy would have eclipsed ole George.  Of course, this is for Britain's "greatest" foe and perhaps the Brits don't want to label Hitler as "great".

Hitler's out because the rules require that the nominee has to have commanded troops in the field.
As far as Bonaparte, my guess is that he's too polarizing (or maybe to French...? something about
Hamster Mothers and Elderberry- scented Fathers?) to get the top nod.

Ok. Given that I agree General Washington would top the list.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Gusington on April 15, 2012, 08:32:49 PM
The Wife (of all people) came up with Oliver Cromwell. I thought that he was a great possibility for this...but would he even qualify?
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: MIGMaster on April 15, 2012, 09:11:26 PM
I thought it would've been Paul Revere with his funky light reading skills and the British are coming routine.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Centurion40 on April 18, 2012, 08:52:16 AM
Quote from: Staggerwing on April 15, 2012, 05:27:15 PM
Quote from: Centurion40 on April 15, 2012, 05:10:23 PM
I would thought that Hitler or Nappy would have eclipsed ole George.  Of course, this is for Britain's "greatest" foe and perhaps the Brits don't want to label Hitler as "great".

Hitler's out because the rules require that the nominee has to have commanded troops in the field.
As far as Bonaparte, my guess is that he's too polarizing (or maybe to French...? something about
Hamster Mothers and Elderberry- scented Fathers?) to get the top nod.

In that context, the choice makes sense!
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: besilarius on April 18, 2012, 05:37:13 PM
Oliver Cromwell, Gus?
Sure you could make him the greatest enemy of the English monarchy.  You could proclaim him the enemy of all things Irish.  Probably of established religion.
But the greatest enemy of England?
If he's in the list, then Henry VIII with his taking down the monasteries and all their history would be the greatest assault on England to me.
For instance, how many pieces of Olde English are there?  Beowulf was written in Olde English (which is actually close to Danish of all things).  In Henry's reign no one could read Olde English, but the monks preserved the manuscripts as ancient and unique.
When Henry destroyed the monasteries, it was one of the greatest book burnings in history.
Why was Beowulf saved?
It was the thickest book at the abbey.  So it was grabbed to go into a noble's library.  Being big, it would be more impressive.  All the rest were thrown away and burned.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Gusington on April 18, 2012, 08:10:51 PM
^Hey it was The Wife's suggestion Bes. But I think Cromwell is a good one for several of the reasons you mention above. If he is the greatest enemy of the English crown, that would put him way up there automatically, no?

I can understand the awkwardness of having Henry VIII on the list too though. That said, including people like Cromwell or Henry VIII would definitely make the list more interesting, eh :)
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: bob48 on April 19, 2012, 12:56:00 PM
But, you could argue that Cromwell was not an enemy of the English people, and was a patriot, in fact, he was not anti-royalist even, and did try to make Charles accept that the crown could not totally override Parliament.

So, maybe Cromwell does not meet the criteria?
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Gusington on April 19, 2012, 01:00:27 PM
^Definitely. Cromwell all around is just an intriguing character. I think you can go either way with him on the list.
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: Martok on April 27, 2012, 05:03:02 AM
I'm still shocked George beat out old Boney.  I wouldn't have even thought it'd be a competition! 
Title: Re: George Washington Voted UK's #1 Foe
Post by: besilarius on April 27, 2012, 05:41:20 PM
Maybe because Boney's empire is a thing of the past.  It really did not survive him, and the empire of Napoleon III ended up as a joke.
Whereas old George's legacy, the vibrant USA, has clearly displaced the UK as top nation.