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Many people love British Literature, but are often confounded by their slang, customs, and habits. Here is a handy reference to look up any confusing term you might trip over in your favorite English writing. VICEROYS, VICARS, and VERGERS answers such confusions as:

What -exactly- is a crumpet?

Is Parliament like Congress? What about the Prime Minister? Where does the monarch fit in?

Bubble-and-squeak, haggis, mushy peas? Is their food really so bland?

So many kings, dukes, and knights? Why? What are they for?

What’s with all the servants? Couldn’t these people do anything for themselves?

People owe a great deal to many other cultures, but lots of law, literature, culture, and tradition come from the British. Nonetheless, great writing, from Shakespeare to Harry Potter, is never quite crystal-clear to the non-British reader. Here is some clarity to some part of the confusion. There is even a recipe for crumpets!