Back to the video list: History of the British Isles

 

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland exists since 1922. However, her history reaches back at least to the year 1066 when William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings.

 

Video

 

 

The British Isles before 1066

  • Population:
    • England: Mainly Anglo-Saxons
    • Wales, Scotland & Ireland: Mainly Celts
  • Societal Structure / Structure of Domination:
    • England: Kingdom with a decentralised aristocracy
    • Scotland: Kingdom but most of the powers lay with the clans
    • Wales & Ireland: Several kingdoms & principalities

 

History

  • 1066: William the Conqueror wins the Battle of Hastings, afterwards he takes control of England & transforms her to a strong & centralised state
  • 1171: Henry II of England capitalises from conflicts between Irish kings & becomes Lord of Ireland
  • 1277 – 1283: Edward I conquers Wales & integrates her into the English kingdom
  • 1296 – 1328 & 1332 – 1357: Scotland preserves her independence in 2 wars against England
  • 1542: Henry VIII elevates Ireland to a kingdom to restore the weakened English influence & reject foreign claims on Ireland
  • 1603: Elizabeth I dies without children, her (distant) relative James VI King of Scots is crowned James I of England & the personal union of England & Scotland starts
  • 1707: England & Scotland are united in the Kingdom of Great Britain
    • English perspective: Securing the personal union & the political influence
    • Scottish perspective: consolidating the wrecked Scottish finances
  • 1801: Against the background of the rebellion of 1798 the British government wants to integrate Ireland & the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland is established
  • 1922: After the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) Southern Ireland gains independence as a Free State within the British Empire & Northern Ireland remains in the Union
    • United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland

 

Consequences & Impact

  • The Irish-British conflict continues during the 20th century & Northern Ireland faces the Troubles (1968 – 1998)
  • There are few independent movements, esp. in Scotland
    • I.e. Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 – Independence is rejected by 55.3 %
  • Devolution of powers within the United Kingdom
    • National Assembly for Wales (1999)
    • Scottish Parliament (1999)
    • Parliament of Northern Ireland (1921 – 1972)
    • Northern Ireland Assembly (1998)
  • For the majority the United Kingdom means the “best of both worlds“
    • Common British culture & identity
    • Plus: Culture & identity of the “sub-nation”: England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland