In Henry V, the Bard reminds us that when the clarion call is sounded, an Englishman will cast aside his "stillness and humility" and "imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage."
Footballer Wayne Rooney evoked this spirit in the now infamous Nike ad pictured here.
Some of this same sporting spirit is evidenced in the annual cheese rolling tradition in Gloucester, where, each year, a 7-8 lbs. cheese is sent down a steep and uneven hill and contestants compete vehemently to be the first to catch it. The top prize is the cheese itself.
It's harder than it sounds. According to cheese-rolling.co.uk, "it is almost impossible to remain on foot for the descent." Injuries are incurred; though most of them minor, broken limbs are not uncommon.
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