England of My Heart

is a reflective trav elogue written in the early 20th century. This literary work offers a rich exploration of the English countryside, emphasizing the beauty and va riety of its landscapes, historic towns, and cultural heritage. Hutton evoca tively conveys his deep affection for England’s natural beauty, architecture, and the profound sense of history that pervades the land, creating an atmo spherethatinvitesreaderstoappreciateEngland asamultidimensionalchar acter in itself. At the start of the journey described in the opening portion of the book, Hutton sets off from the Tabard Inn in Southwark, echoing the path of Chaucer’s pilgrims from 'The Canterbury Tales.' He captures his reflections on London as he departs, revealing a complex relationship withthe city, whichhesimultaneouslyfindsbeautifulandindifferent. Ashe walks through the varied landscapes of Kent, he details the historical signif icance of the places he passes, such as Dartford and Rochester, while invok ing memories of saints and historical events. The narrative is imbued with Hutton’s lyrical observations about nature, architecture, and the essence of England, setting a poignant tone for his pilgrimage toward Canterbury.WhenI determined to set out once more to traverse and to possess England of myheart, it was part of my desire first of all to follow, as far as might be, in the footsteps of Chaucer’s pilgrims. Therefore I sought the TabardInnin Southwark. For true delight, it seems to me, a journey, especially if it be for love or plea sure, should always have about it something of devotion, something a little rigid too, and dutiful, at least in its opening stages; and in thus determin ing my way I secured this. For I promised myself that I would start from the place whence they set out so long ago to visit and to pray at the tomb of the greatest of English saints, that I would sleep where they slept, find plea sure in the villages they enjoyed, climb the hills and look on the horizons that greeted them also so many hundred years ago, till at last I stood by the 'blissful martyr’s tomb,' that hadoncemadesogreatarumourintheworld and nowwasnothing