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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Pomp and Circumstance
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A phrase borrowed from Shakespeare (in Othello) and used by *Elgar as the title for a set of five marches (1901–30). It is said that Edward VII, hearing the first of these, suggested that the tune of the trio section would be very fine if set to words. These were soon provided (by A.C. Benson, 1862–1925), and the tune and words formed the finale of Elgar's Coronation Ode (1902) under the title Land of Hope and Glory. The version of this published on its own (with words differing from those in the Coronation Ode) rivals Jerusalem as England's favourite patriotic song – and features with it on the last night of the *Proms.
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