What does it mean by being English? Continuing to support the national football and cricket team, even when they’re crap. Being disrespectful about the Royal Family, until there’s a war and we need a totem to run up the flagpole. Universal agreement that the French are our eternal foe. Being humorous about every situation, even when things a totally bleak, and you’ve just sawn your own legs off. Never taking ourselves too seriously. Thinking up the world’s greatest ideas, but being totally incapable of exploiting them commercially, or run our own railway. Always siding with the underdog. How should we celebrate being English? We don’t need to. Being English gives us so much self-confidence that we don’t need to invent things like "national events", "national costume", oath of allegiances in the morning, etc. That’s for nations without confidence. Being and knowing you’re English is a celebration in itself. Ivan Dearlove, Cambridge

My initial thoughts suggest the following: liberalism, democracy, racial impurity, pragmatism, the language (in its various forms and dialects), are non puritanical, and have a sense of belonging to our nation our town/ city and our counties. Given this, perhaps the English will become more vocal about their identity as our BRITISH Government steadily erodes our ENGLISH rights and ENGLISH democracy. We do not have our own Parliament like the Scots, so now suffer undemocratic practices like the Westlothian question, and financial discrimination from the Barnett formula. Brian Stone, London

If you're British and you know it, clap your hands! It takes a black man, a minister of God, a man who developed his identity and values in a foreign country where he recognised the strength and character of the English heritage, to remind us of who we are and who we should be. I might be embarrassed in this politically-correct age to emphasise my Britishness, to shout for my national team in sport or choke back my pride when I hear Land of Hope and Glory; I might be afraid that displaying a Union Jack might characterise me as a member of an organisation such as the BNP (a group I detest). The Archbishop of York, with great insight and clarity, recognises that as Englishmen we have a culture to be proud of, a Nation to stand up for, a way of life that is worth protecting. We have standards and values that are shaped primarily from a foundation in Christianity and which have been maintained and protected with the lives of many Englishmen over the years. We should celebrate the English way of life, safeguard it from any erosion, absorb those changes from outside that we find acceptable and reject those that are not. We are not a multicultural society; we are an English society that welcomes and accepts other cultures who respect and integrate with our way of life. Keith Downer, London

How marvellous it is to hear somebody calling for a reclamation of the English identity. For so many years now it's been fine to encourage Welshness, or Scottisness or any other nationality or culture except English. Unfortunately even our flag gets identified with the BNP. We have so much to be proud of in our history and our culture, which like it or not, is actually based firmly in traditional Christian values. Politicians seem to have lost sight of the fact that indigenous English people are still the substantial majority in this country, so why is it that our needs and desires are so often relegated behind those of the many other minority groups who have chosen to live here, presumably because they admire our way of life? Alan Lovell, Farnham

I'm an expat and I'm going to get my Union Jack out. Britain ... it's bloody lovely. James Robins, Curacao

I would prefer it if the question was "what does it mean to be British". English is merely a component part of being British, the generic name for the citizens of the United Kingdom. Whether the UK is one's country of birth or domicile or whose passport or driving licence we carry, the ethos of being British should mean openness, rule of law, religious tolerance, freedom of speech and a belief in freedom of movement, free trade and fair play. Anyone who does not accept the above is culturally at odds with the ethos of being British - developed over centuries. Within this framework and with an acceptance of it, Britain can absorb many different cultures. William Knight, London

I'm an American of English ancestry and I agree that even in America it is unusual for someone to be proud of one's English heritage. Italian-Americans and Irish-Americans, for example, are very proud of their heritage, often flying the flags of their ancestors. English-Americans are even called Wasps (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) rather than English-Americans. It might be that the pervasive culture in America is English so that a distinction isn't necessary, but I've yet to hear anyone call themselves English-American. John Banks, New York

To be English does not only mean to be born in the country but also to embrace "English" culture. However, what is English culture? It has become a melting pot over time and thus identifying English culture is extremely difficult as the proud sense of patriotism that other countries enjoy is too often associated with right-wing ideas. The way forward I believe is to embrace and evolve with our multicultural society. To be truly British in today's world equals the ability to adapt and tolerate the cultural mix, and be proud of our nation regardless of race or religion. Leeann Mohamed, London

I wholly agree with the archbishop. Having come from a "foreign" family and grown up in England, it seems that England is always striving to be seen as multicultural and politically correct, and welcoming to other cultures of the world. Although this approach is, without a doubt, a positive one, perhaps in some areas of England the fact that local councils are willing to give money for celebrations of other cultures, while failing appropriately to fund English national holidays, may in fact be fuelling resentment amongst English nationals towards foreign cultures. It may also be counterproductive in its aim of successfully integrating all of England's cultures and allowing our country to live up to its culturally accepting and understanding reputation. Ola Marki, Paris

Does the archbishop mean what is it to be British? It is many generations since people were deemed English and not British; probably exacerbated by devolution in both Wales and Scotland. The flag of St. George is again something that has come more into use in the past 20 years. Did you see any in the old film of England winning the 1966 football World Cup? No. The fans took the Union flag to the match. I am Welsh and very proud to be so. However, I am British and would like to see a return to Britishness, an identity that is being lost, along with being Welsh. One last point to make here is the lack of an English national anthem. When I attend rugby internationals and sing the Welsh anthem with fervour, the English seem embarrassed that they have to sing God Save the Queen, which is the anthem of the UK. So, I agree that more English people should feel proud of being English but I would like a return to the values of being British as well. Name and address withheld

I agree, we need to rediscover our sense of national pride and identity. Welsh, Scots and Irish people are proud of their heritage and it is not frowned upon to say so. In England, too much emphasis is placed on the negative aspects of being English. For example, anyone who flies a St George's flag is deemed to be a right-wing bigot rather than a proud Englishman. We should be proud and justifiably so of our heritage and our sense of being English. We do, after all, comprise the largest contingent of the greatest nation on Earth. James Kirby, Arborfield

In response to John Banks's comments, the Revolutionary War was not fought against Italy or Ireland. Even so, there are some Americans who do regard themselves as Anglo-American, acknowledging their British ancestry. Elisabeth Clough, Panama City, USA

I agree with Dr Sentamu that there are many fine things about the English. These include a tradition of fair play, the best in English literature, architecture and music. True Christian values are the basis of much that is the best about England. Why deny or play down these accomplishments? Adrienne Cook, Victoria, Canada