On Sat, 2 Aug 2003 07:31:39 +0100, Peter Twydell
wrote:

It's also a big psychological barrier. The Romans/Angles, Saxons,
Jutes/Normans managed to invade or just get across it and the North Sea,
but no-one's crossed it successfully with evil intent since 1066.
(Except the Aussies coming for the Ashes, of course.)

The Royal Netherlands Marines (Korps Mariniers) managed to cross the
Channel, run up the Thames, and do a little invading and sacking in
1666.

The Royal Netherlands Marines were established on 10 Dec 1665 during
the Dutch Wars (which caused the British to form the Royal Marines on
28 Oct 1664) so they hit the ground running.

The oldest marine corps in the world was established on 26 Feb 1537,
by the way.

Mary