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Born In Britain?

When you are born in britain are you an individual with rights or subjects to the Queen and given privileges? It is interesting to note that there is a law that basically states that if you find an object of history (no matter what its value) on British soil (even if it is on your property) then you must surrender it to the crown.

Britain Born

I an not a citizen of Britain, but having lived there I met some people that were irate at the fact that if they found something valuable in their own back yards that they would have to surrender it to the Queen.

Born In Britain? History & Civil Business Politics

"For in every city these two opposite parties [people vs aristocracy] are to be found, arising from the desire of the populace to avoid oppression of the great, and the desire of the great to command and oppress the people....For when the nobility see that they are unable to resist the people, they unite in exalting one of their number and creating him prince, so as to be able to carry out their own designs under the shadow of his authority."
-- Machiavelli, The Prince, ch. IX

Britain Born

I certainly consider myself to be a citizen with rights, as opposed to a subject answerable to the Queen, although, there are still rules and laws in place where in certain subjects, the 'Queen's rights' are protected.

One of the things that you could get into trouble with the police for, is if you place a stamp (which has the Queen's head on) upside down deliberately. It is then seen that you have insulted the Queen.

People are genuinely hacked off at the fact that if you find anything in your back yard of history, as JB pointed out, it has to be handed over to 'the crown'.

It doesn't seem fair, but is a prisonable offence if you keep it, and it is of great value and you get caught with it.

Britain Born

Using the same 'back yard' scenario, doesn't this mean you are subject to the Queen? I mean to say, in every other country they make fun of their leaders and what you find on your own property is yours, but it seems that Britain is still under an archaic or should I say socialist regime (although more subtle) where you cannot make statements against the Queen and something found in your own property that has value is automatically the Queen's?

Born In Britain?

Yes, this is true to an extent, and I'm sure if the Queen was asked how she viewed the British public, she would probably give a different answer to mine!
The ruling definitely needs to be updated, as do some of the other laws of the land!

People today are less loyal to the Royal family than they were even when I was younger.A great example of this, is that in 1977, it was the Queen's silver jubilee, she had been ruling England for 25 years, and everybody got the day off school, and most people got the day off work as a holiday.Every street, and I mean every street had a street party, the roads were shut off, tables were layed out in red, white and blue, every neighbor brought food to share for all the families and children.Millions of flags and buntings were bought, and every child was given a jubilee mug, with the picture of the Queen on, and a special commemorative silver coin.

5 years later, in 2002, when the Queen was celebrating 50 years of ruling England, everybody had the day off, as last time, but where as most people spent the time last time paying homage to the Queen, this time, most people used the time to go on holiday, and Cornwall especially, received vast numbers of tourists!

I personally did not see even one street party,and only some schools sent out a letter regarding a mug and coin, for which people were getting charged for this time.

I think, that I can speak for most British people, and say that the way that Princess Di got treated by the Royal family, has left a sour taste in the mouths of the British public!

Born Britain

I understand what you are trying to say DianeC, but you express personal feelings and partial feelings of people in general, however, feelings and opinions do not change the fact that you are still subject to the Queen and that you must pay her homage or there will be consequences. The laws may be updating, but I believe they purposely have not, but I do wonder if the British citizenry even care? They may do if they found a golden chalice in their back yard.

Born Britain Politics Business Civil & History

I think, that most people do not either care, or are not fully aware of the rulings, and like many things in life, do not become bothered, until it actually affects them!

I only became aware of the law regarding digging up artefacts, when my Son had a metal detector bought him by a relative, and somebody commented to us that if he found anything of value, it would have to be handed over to the state, regardless of whether it was found on your own property or not. This kind of defeats the object in my opinion, and seem down right unfair!

The law obviously hasn't been changed, as in my opinion, it doesn't suit to change, as obviously' the crown' is doing well out of it, so why change a good thing?

The Queen obviously views us as her 'British subjects' and to an extent I would say we would be classed as such, but my guess is that if a survey was done on British people, their views would be entirely different, even the Queen's live broadcast on tv on Christmas day, does not bring as many viewers in as 10 years ago.