Tedder, Michael (6 June 2011). "Paste Magazine Review". Paste. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021 . Retrieved 3 July 2021. Funny’ might be too strong,” he concedes, “But there’s something slightly cute about being that obsessed with dying when I was 28-years-old.” Turner’s own transformation to musical cult hero began after the demise of the hardcore outfit Million Dead, in which he served as frontman. Taking the aggressive energy and songwriting experience from those years and fusing it with an acoustic everyman persona, Turner has built up an enviable fanbase as a solo artist since 2005, touring increasingly large venues up and down the country. Turner’s awareness of the sizeable following he now commands informs much of the songwriting displayed here; by now, he can be sure that when he takes a record out on the road, he will not be the only one singing. Interview: Frank Turner «HAUS DIGITAL". Hausdigital.com. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012 . Retrieved 15 February 2012.

Act 2, scene 1 King Philip of France and the Duke of Austria, on behalf of Arthur, begin to lay siege to the city of Angiers, property of the English monarch. John and his army arrive. Each king demands that the citizens of Angiers allow the “King of England” to enter, but the citizens ask for proof as to which (John or Arthur) is the true king. When the kings decide to join forces to destroy the city, the citizens propose that the kings instead become allies through a marriage of the French Dauphin Louis to John’s niece Blanche. To further this proposed alliance, John gives up five Continental provinces and makes Arthur Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond, while Philip abandons Arthur’s cause. Act 5, scene 6 Hubert brings news to the Bastard that King John has been poisoned by a monk, and that, at the urging of his son Prince Henry, King John has pardoned the rebellious nobles. The Bastard, half of whose army has drowned, hastens to the dying king. British album certifications – Frank Turner – England Keep My Bones". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 3 July 2021. Act 3, scene 4 John’s victories and his capture of Arthur lead the French to despair and Constance to wild grief. Pandulph, predicting Arthur’s death and the hatred of John that will inevitably ensue, encourages the Dauphin to invade England and claim the throne as Blanche’s husband.Marking a decade since the release of his breakthrough album, Frank Turner is set to release a special commemorative edition of ‘England Keep My Bones’. Would I have written and recorded and released this record last year?” Turner ponders. “Quite possibly not.” ENGLAND KEEP MY BONES FRANK TURNER". Epitaph. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020 . Retrieved 25 February 2021. Nassiff, Thomas (23 May 2011). "Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021 . Retrieved 3 July 2021. a b "Exclusive Frank Turner Interview | Reading and Leeds Festivals". Strictlyrandl.com. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011 . Retrieved 15 February 2012.

Continuing to resonate with the audience that grows with Frank to this day, ‘England Keep My Bones’ has since been certified Gold by the BPI for sales of over 100K in the UK and remains a resolute favourite in his prolific repertoire.In the preface to his novel Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy described Wessex — the setting for much of his writing — as “a merely realistic dream country.” Although not as snappy as England Keep My Bones, Hardy’s phrase might well have made for a good alternative title for Frank Turner’s fourth album. For just as Hardy’s Wessex was his reimagined version of a historical kingdom, Frank Turner’s England is a mythologised version of the place we really live in. Turner, who regards himself as a “Wessex Boy”, guides us with his songs through an England where hamlets, villages, and even Exeter are on a par with London, and where any one of us can become a hero. It’s an exercise in myth-making with real power, but not one without uncomfortable moments.

Frank Turner Interview". Flares n Seagulls. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011 . Retrieved 15 February 2012. Act 5, scene 1 King John submits his royal power to the Pope in exchange for Pandulph’s intercession against the French forces. The Bastard reports the successes of the French army, the death of Arthur, and the revolt of the nobles, and urges John to fight the French rather than seek peace through Pandulph. King John gives the Bastard the authority to deal with the French as he chooses. In the build-up to this record, my career was going in such a way that I’d started touring the States quite a lot—but, usually, completely on my own.” Winwood, Ian. "Frank Turner England Keep My Bones". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021 . Retrieved 3 July 2021.But this is quite important now, in the whole business of talking about a record that came out 10 years ago–yeah, I’d do plenty of things differently if I was making that record now.” It represents a time in my life, and I think I did a—if I may now blow my own trumpet for 30 seconds–I think I did a really good job of laying down that set of ideas at that time in my life. Ruminations on death, legacy, and remembrance also occupy a lot of the album’s lyricism. But I wonder how seriously was he taking those musings at the time.