Novocastrian

It's just that you said they've been on about independence for 300 years. Given their enthusiastic buy in to British colonialism, I don't think that's correct.

MikeUK

Yep.. Mel is rather famous in Scotland for what is also known as the 2nd most inaccurate historical movie ever made…

And as to the English invading..
my history lessons taught me that the Stuarts ascended to the English throne by right whilst still holding the Scottish throne, so technically its was a scot that first merged the crowns of England and Scotland, and then merged the two kingdoms…

Tangram

I'm intrigued...what is the 1st ?

fletcher m

U - 571

Souvy

"Hitler: my year at the gay, gypsy Kibbutz".

Possibly.

Tangram

You will be hearing from Adolf's lawyers I'm sure.

Editha

Speaking as an English person, I haven't done any oppressing recently, but if you tell me what you have in mind, I'll have a go.

London Mike

Novo, apologies. I think I was somewhat and unnecessarily curt with you. I see your point, and you're right.

Novocastrian

Thank you. Apologies not necessary. Just a pint.

lmartin999

Did someone mention a pint?

caretaker

Oh dear....... oh. Damn, no emoticons. I was sort of referring to the way Scots refer to the English as......never mind..... No such thing as assumed guilt - it's a rule. Even for the Germans.

Editha

You are forgiven.

I think it is worth noting, however, that the Act of Union 1707 came about as a result of treaty negotiations, not conquest, by two countries that already shared a monarchy.

It followed on from the Darien disaster, a colonial adventure that went wrong, which had bancrupted the Scottish establishment. The Scots were looking for a bailout. Some would say that Scotland has been doing quite well out of the Union ever since, up to and including the £37 billion bailout of the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2009, and the substantial subsidy paid by English taxpayers to Scottish local government. And that is why it is very unlikely that the Scots will vote for full independence.

As for Wales -- the conquest was completed by the early fourteenth century. At that point in time the English monarchy still spoke French, as did the aristocracy, down to the humblest knight. Their documents were written in French and Latin, and dated "X years since the Conquest" -- that is the conquest of England.

It would not be true to say that Wales was conquered by the Normans, since by that time the monarchy had lost most of its lands in France (although it would spend the next 100 years trying to get them back). However, it would be equally wrong to say Wales was conquered by the English. The real mistake is in trying to apply the modern concept of nation to the medieval world which thought in terms of monarchies and fiefdoms.

Ironically, the most determined attempt to integrate Wales with England and wipe out the Welsh language took place under a Welsh monarch -- Henry VIII.

London Mike

I didn't know he was Welsh. Well, well. That would explain the multiple wives I suppose.

DaveLovesDee

if Scotland becomes independant, will Balmoral become the Scottish PM's country home, as I don't recall many Monarchs who have country homes on foreign soil.

I'd suggest it's similar to a long-term relationship break-up. A couple tolerate each other, before convincing themselves that they don't need the other person and will be better off without them.

iaink

I believe that, like Sandringham, it is the royal families privately owned property, its not owned by the state, so it would just be a foreign holiday home, like half of South Kensington is for Arab royalty.