Throughout its history, Britain built an empire, and with it, a sense of Britishness. Forces threatening the common identity include Scottish and Welsh nationalism, an influx of immigrants and membership in the European Union.

Modern Britain is no less diverse than in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and sometimes even bawdier. The walk along the modern-day route from London to Canterbury reveals characters who embrace the earthy sexuality from Chaucer's day, along with more staid British traditions like foxhunting.

Once upon a time, England was a very Christian nation. Now, Britain has become one of the most secular countries in Europe. While some say the church plays no role in modern life, there is a highly Christian sector of British society — largely among immigrant communities.

(Image credit: Carl de Souza)

Parts of Britain's economy are hugely successful. The country's arts are world class. And it's a great place to visit. But underneath, beyond the London, the Oxford, the Canterbury that visitors see, there is undoubtedly a malaise, and complaints about immigration are pervasive.

(Image credit: Rob Gifford/NPR)

This NPR series explores how British people live and what they believe through a walk in the footsteps of Geoffrey Chaucer from London to Canterbury. The journey provides an overview of Britain, and the new dramas being played out on its streets and in its rural fields.

A walk from London along the road to Canterbury reveals much about Britain's changing landscape. As immigration increases and the pillars of the old identity, such as empire and monarchy, have been eroded, many communities have withdrawn into a tribal loyalty, with the spotlight on Muslims.