Albion

Albion is a historical and poetic name for Great Britain, used since classical times and in later literature to refer to the island or the British nation. The exact origin is uncertain; a widely cited explanation links Albion to the Latin albus, “white,” in reference to the white cliffs of Britain, particularly along the southeast coast, though other theories point to pre-Roman Celtic roots.

Historically, Albion appears in Latin writings as a designation for the island; in medieval and early modern English poetry and prose it functions as a classical or symbolic homeland, often personified as a nation or landscape. In later periods, the term continued to carry romantic or national associations in political and literary contexts.

Modern usage persists in place names and cultural references. There are towns and localities named Albion in several countries, such as Albion, New York; Albion, Nebraska; and Albion, Queensland, Australia. The name is also used by sports teams; for example, West Bromwich Albion Football Club is a prominent English club known simply as Albion.

In fiction and fantasy, Albion is commonly employed as the name of a fictional kingdom or homeland, notably in the video game Fable, where the central setting is the kingdom of Albion. The term remains a recognizable literary and cultural symbol of Britain in various works.