A petition calling for an extra bank holiday in England on 12 July 2027 has garnered over 1,500 signatures, pressing the Labour Party government to approve the day off in celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the birth of England.
Petition Details and Support
Created by Derek Hilling, the petition titled "Make 12 July 2027 a Bank Holiday for 1100th anniversary of the birth of England" closes on 11 September 2026. It argues that the meeting arranged by King Æthelstan on 12 July 927 at ‘Eamotum’ in Cumbria represents the original unification of the English people and is rightly described as the birth of England.
The petition states: "Make Monday 12th July 2027 a bank holiday in England to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the birth of England, so that all the people of England celebrate this occasion. The Government should also support organising celebrations for that day."
If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government will respond. At 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Historical Context
According to the petition, after the meeting at Eamont Bridge, King Æthelstan styled himself as Rex Anglorum - King of the English. The Anglo Saxon Society backed the calls on Facebook, noting: "On 12 July 927, King Æthelstan of Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria was acknowledged as the first King of England and as Overlord of Britain." The society added that the meeting, known as the Treaty of Eamont Bridge, happened at a stone circle near the River Eamont, which forms the boundary between Westmorland and Cumberland.
The society explained: "This was a few weeks after Æthelstan had conquered and annexed the Viking kingdom of York. Æthelstan was met at Eamont Bridge by King Constantín mac Áeda of Scotland, King Owain ap Dyfnwal of the Cumbrians, King Hywel Dda of Wales, and Ealdorman Ealdred Ealdulfing from Bebbanbyrig (Bamburgh) and recognised by them as King of all the English (and geographically king of what we now call England) and as their overlord. 12 July should be our National Day."
Government Response and Next Steps
The petition has crossed the 1,500-signature mark, but it needs 10,000 for a formal government response. If it reaches 100,000, it could be debated in Parliament. The Labour government has not yet commented on the proposal.
