How many Elizabeths?
Saturday, April 22, 2006
My town's high street and many of its shops have been festooned with English flags for the last few days. Presumably, this has something to do with Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday. The prevelance of English flags once again underlines the complete disdain that most English feel towards Scotland. The fact that we call this queen Elizabeth II is further evidence.
In case anyone has forgotten, this is supposed to be the United Kingdom. The crowns were united in 1603 on the death of Elizabeth I (of England) when James VI of Scotland assumed the throne of England in addition to his Scottish crown. He became known as James I of England (and of the United Kingdom). In 1707 the parliaments of Scotland and England were united to form Great Britain. Until our present Elizabeth no rulers since James VII/II had names that gave rise to different numbers being necessary. When Elizabeth assumed the throne she was immediately called Elizabeth II. This, to many Scots, was nonsense, as Elizabeth I was an English queen. This Elizabeth was the first queen of a united kingdom and was obviously the first Elizabeth to rule Scotland. On the same logic which had James VI being known as James I, Elizabeth II of England should be known as Elizabeth I. Needless to say, this logic was ignored and Scotland once again made to feel very much the junior partner in the union.
Does it matter? In itself, no. As a symbol of English arrogance and cultural dominance, very much so.
In case anyone has forgotten, this is supposed to be the United Kingdom. The crowns were united in 1603 on the death of Elizabeth I (of England) when James VI of Scotland assumed the throne of England in addition to his Scottish crown. He became known as James I of England (and of the United Kingdom). In 1707 the parliaments of Scotland and England were united to form Great Britain. Until our present Elizabeth no rulers since James VII/II had names that gave rise to different numbers being necessary. When Elizabeth assumed the throne she was immediately called Elizabeth II. This, to many Scots, was nonsense, as Elizabeth I was an English queen. This Elizabeth was the first queen of a united kingdom and was obviously the first Elizabeth to rule Scotland. On the same logic which had James VI being known as James I, Elizabeth II of England should be known as Elizabeth I. Needless to say, this logic was ignored and Scotland once again made to feel very much the junior partner in the union.
Does it matter? In itself, no. As a symbol of English arrogance and cultural dominance, very much so.
