Henry V and the Self-Governing

… 

“If we are mark'd to die, we are enough

To do our country loss; and if to live,

The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

…

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.” - William Shakespeare (Henry V, Act IV)

Saint Crispin's Day greetings to all!  In keeping with my annual tradition, I watched Henry V again this year.  

His army is outnumbered five-to-one against mounted knights, who hold the high ground.  But Henry just explains that it's actually a good thing that they are outnumbered, since it means they will each enjoy a 'greater share of honor' when they fight together against those kind of odds--to help their king gain a little real estate on the continent--and that 'gentlemen in England now abed, will think themselves accursed they were not here.'  it's a great movie, and this speech sets up the climactic battle.  It's easy for me to get caught up in his infectious enthusiasm ... as I sit in my warm comfy living room. 

St. Crispins Day Speech

On the other hand, as an American, I align more with Dennis, as regards English royalty.   

Monte Python - Dennis