What is an English (British-style) sausage?

An English sausage is a sausage made in the English culinary tradition, defined by its seasoning profile, texture, and method of construction rather than by a single recipe or place of origin. It is typically made from pork and seasoned in a savoury, restrained manner, avoiding sweetness, heavy spice, or smoke, and is often combined with rusk or breadcrumbs to produce a softer, coarser texture than many international sausages. English sausages exist in a wide range of regional styles and are used across British cooking beyond breakfast, but they share a common balance of meat, fat, and seasoning that distinguishes them from sweetened, emulsified, or heavily spiced sausages. In the context of an English breakfast, the term "sausage" is understood to mean an English or British-style sausage prepared in this tradition, with other sausage types belonging to different culinary traditions and not regarded as equivalent.