In 1500 the British 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld consisted of one reasonably
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] kingdom, England, two weak ones,
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] and Scotland, and Wales, which was partly controlled by
England and partly run by the independent princes (1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld lords). Britain was disunited. As
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] nations they were weak in comparison with great powers such as
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] and Spain.

However by 1750 these 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] nations were under control of the government in
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] and were called the United
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld. This unity helped Britain develop an empire which made it the most powerful force in the
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld. How did this happen?

England and Scotland

England and 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld had been
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] for a long time. The position became more serious in the 1500s when the Scots and French joined
together to fight against the English. The rulers of Scotland and France were both 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] while England was becoming Protestant.
One Scottish monarch, 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld Queen of Scots, was even married to the French king. Another problem was that she
even claimed the English 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld. In 1587 there was a rebellion in England by her Catholic supporters who
tried to make her Queen instead of Elizabeth (this failed and she was 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?]).

By 1603 there had been some union when the Scottish king, 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld VI of Scotland, also became the English
king, James I. However even though they shared a 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] there was no change in the
situation with both countries retaining their own parliaments and laws.

By 1700 there were serious 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] when the Jacobites posed a threat of putting
another 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld back on the throne favouring James IIs son as their king. Between 1701-1713 England was at
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld with France so the fear that James II would land in Scotland with his son claiming the throne was a
great threat. England therefore decided to join with Scotland in the 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld of Union of 1707 as it made her
more secure. The Scottish Parliament was 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] and she sent 45 MPs to the Westminster Parliament.
However Scotland also benefited as her 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] were paid off and they were given freedom to
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] with England and her colonies. The
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld still rebelled against the Union but were defeated by the English armies in 1715 and again in
1745-6.


England and Wales

In 1500 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld was divided having a Principality of Wales and the Marcher
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld. Edward I had set up the Principality in 1284 and it was supposed to be under the
king’s control but there was much lawlessness. The Marcher lords (lords originally given land by
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld the Conqueror to hold back the Welsh) did not recognise any authority apart from their own.
The only solution was to 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] and so Henry VIII introduced the Act of Union in 1536. The results were
all Marcher Lordships were 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?], Wales sent MPs to parliament in
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?]. English law courts took over but Welshmen were allowed to become Justices of
the Peace. The Welsh were allowed some freedom in that their culture and 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld were allowed to
flourish.

England and Ireland

The 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld Reformation that changed
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] did not take hold in Ireland and in the sixteenth and seventeenth
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld deep divisions remained between the Irish Catholics and their English rulers who were
Protestants.
Ireland was a 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld because Catholic countries were ready to help her rebel. From 1590 to 1691 there were
a number of attempts by English rulers to 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?] Ireland for good.
The English used methods of force and 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?]. They also used the
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld system whereby they drove Catholics off their land and gave the
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld to loyal Protestants. Ireland was eventually taken over with the result that Catholics held little
land and became very 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld[?]. The government passed harsh laws against them preventing them from
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld and having jobs in the government. The Act of Union in
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld signified that Ireland was completely taken over.

What about today?

We are still a 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld Kingdom but there are some differences. Ireland separated in 1921 with
1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld Ireland staying part of the UK (many Protestants) and the Republic of Ireland becoming an
independent republic. (Irish Free state -mainly 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld).

Scotland now has its own parliament since 1999 and 1800abolishedActCatholicCatholicscenturiesclosedconquerdangerdebtsenemiesEnglandexecutedfourFranceIrelandIslesJacobitesJamesKingdomlandlanguageLondonLordshipsmarcherMarymonarchNorthernplantationpoorproblemsProtestantScotlandseparatestrongterrorthronetradeuniteUnitedvotingWaleswarWestminsterWilliamworld has its own assembly so we can see some elements of
independence has been regained by these countries.