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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Gypsies
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Their name in English and in several other languages reflects a mistaken belief that they were Egyptian in origin. They are now believed to have come from India. The first reference to them in Europe is in the 14C, and a group of some 200 is known to have arrived in Germany in 1417. *Gypsies were soon being expelled from a succesion of countries (England 1531, Scotland 1541). Spain was more tolerant than most, flamenco being a notable result of the Gypsy presence there.
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Any country which allowed the Gypsies to stay has tended to try and force them to settle. Their refusal to abandon their nomadic ways, relying on crafts and skills which enabled them to keep moving, has amounted over the centuries to an astonishing story of successful resistance – though the modern state, determined to bring higher standards of health and education to all children, is a formidable opponent. It is thought that there are about 50,000 Gypsies in Britain, many of whom now call themselves Travellers. The traditional Gypsy language, Romany (related to Indian languages), is largely extinct in Britain.
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