The dark satanic mills....

That idea about the British et al being the lost tribe of israel is quite old. (see the identity thread)

It comes from a time when the british ruled everything and could never work out why they were not the chosen people. Some groups even thought England was originally "Israel".

The idea is immortalised in the wonderful poem by William Blake

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my charriot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

They don't make poetry as stirring as that any more Its the sort of stuff you shout from the top of a hill....





[Edited on 21-11-2002 by Netchicken]

[Edited on 21-11-2002 by Netchicken]

A very interesting topic, N-C: you'll find the British Israel movement somewhat later, the ideas in Blake's head refer rather to Christ himself having been in Britiain (rather than anything about lost tribes).
Search "Joseph of Arimathea" for some good background and speculation.

There are any number of "traditions" concerning Jesus' travels: India, Egypt, Babylon...Mexico (you name it).
The Bible is of course almost silent on the bulk of Christ's life.
The "Britain" is particularly rich and is linked to Arthurian legends and the Holy Grail stories and the legends concerning Glastonbury.
The core of most is (a) that Joseph of Arimathea (provided Jesus' burial place and is actually in the NT) was connected commercially with the British tin industry (that is at least quite possible) and being very close to Jesus he took him along on a business trip (for want of a better word).
(b) Joseph came after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection and brought vials of Christ's blood and tears (common enough "relic" claims throughout Europe).
Both are interesting topics.