SCOTLAND'S HISTORY
Scotland has been a constituent part of Great Britain since the Act of Union was passed by the legislatures of England and Scotland in 1707. However, the union of these two ancient lands has not always been an easy one, and even after 1707 wars and rebellions by Scots determined to maintain their full independence were not uncommon. Many of these conflicts have been celebrated in popular culture and some have even been given the Hollywood treatment. One of the most notable examples was “Braveheart”, a 1995 film produced, directed and starring Australian actor Mel Gibson. While not completely accurate, the film told the story of William Wallace and his struggle to keep Scotland fully independent in the face of attacks and invasions from England’s King Edward I in the early 14th century.
Competing claims for the English throne based on religion in the 17th and early 18th centuries saw several wars and rebellions flare up. In both 1715 and 1745, Scottish pretenders to the English throne mounted full-scale rebellions. The rebellion of 1745 led by Charles Edward Stuart (known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie”) was the last, and was soundly put down by England at the Battle of Culloden.
The reputation of the Scots as fearsome warriors remains to this day. Also continuing is the longstanding practice of bagpipers leading British soldiers into battle (although this is officially discouraged). During the 1944 D-Day invasion of Europe, piper Bill Millen accompanied the 1st Special Service Brigade led by Lord Lovat onto Sword Beach in Normandy, proudly playing the pipes as the British commandos marched triumphantly ashore.
Historical Scottish Facts
The Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century AD, they added southern Britain to their empire as the province Britannia. They were unable though to subdue the fierce tribes in the north. A massive wall was built across the island from sea to sea on demand by the Emperor Hadrian, to keep these tribes from invading Britannia. Parts of this Hadrian's Wall still stands on the Scottish border today.
The Normans conquered England in 1066, and then many Anglo-Saxons from England settled in the Lowlands of Scotland. This is when the Scots gradually adopted the English ways. Feudalism was established, and the chiefs of the clans became nobles. This is when Scottish town began to grow, trades were increased, and Scotland thrived.
The story of the Scottish Throne is a long and complex one. From the beginning of the twelfth century a single king started to rule, what we know today as Scotland. The thirteenth century was a time of insecurity for the whole of Scotland, with the fighting and Wars of Independence between Scotland and England. The fourteenth century brought a sense of nationhood and stableness, when the monarchial evolution began to develop.
William Wallace is known as the greatest hero and one of the most important symbols of Scottish independence in Scotland's history, although he lived many centuries ago. Although his exact birthdate and birthplace is unknown, he was born around 1276. William was Sir Malcolm Wallace's second son of three. By the year 1297, Wallace controlled much of Scotland, and his battles were something movies are made of. Although his army was outnumbered, they managed to defeat the English army at Stirling Bridge, using strategy and intimidation - the victory that drove the English out of Scotland. In 1305, Wallace was captured and taken to trial in London, where he was convicted of treachery and was brutally murdered.
Scottish clans gives a form of Scottish identity and is known in Scots and by people from all over the world, it has a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms whom controls the heraldry and Coat of arms. Each clan has its own tartan patterns, and those identifying with the clan can wear kilts of the appropriate tartan as a badge of membership and as a uniform where appropriate.
The Romans invaded Britain in the 1st century AD, during which time they added southern Britain to their empire as the province Britannia. They were, however, unable though to subdue the fierce tribes in the north. A massive wall was built across the island from sea to sea on demand by the Emperor Hadrian to keep these tribes from invading Britannia. Parts of this Hadrian's Wall still stand on the Scottish border today.
The Normans conquered England in 1066, afterwhich many Anglo-Saxons from England settled in the Lowlands of Scotland. This is when the Scots gradually adopted the English ways. Feudalism was established and the chiefs of the clans became nobles. Scottish towns began to grow, trade was increased and Scotland thrived.
In the year 1290, the heiress to the throne, Margaret, died. Sir Edward I of England claimed the right to bestow the Crown and made John de Baliol the king. When Edward sought help from John against the French, John entered into an alliance with France. This was the beginning of the 260 years that Scotland held to this so-called 'auld alliance' with England's enemy.
Edward crossed the Scottish border in the year 1296, took John prisoner and proclaimed himself the King of Scotland. The Scots weren't very impressed with the change and they rose again. They were led by Sir William Wallace. Under his leadership they managed to route the English at the Stirling Bridge in 1297 and pursued them across the border. Edward returned the following year and inflicted a disastrous defeat on the Scots at Falkirk. Wallace was imprisoned and was brutally executed.
Robert the Bruce followed in Wallace's foot steps and fought against the English in 1314 at Bannockburn near Stirling Castle. Only in 1328 did Edward III formally recognize Scotland's independence.
After that, James IV of Scotland married Margaret the daughter of Henry VII of England in 1503. When he died the throne went to his baby daughter, Mary Stuart.
Mary was driven out by John Knox who was an follower of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the reformation. Mary returned to Scotland, however, in the year 1561, but was captured and imprisoned. She escaped and fled to England, where Queen Elizabeth I captured her and executed her.
Mary's son, James VI, was brought up as a Presbyterian and took over the throne of Queen Elizabeth when she died. Scotland and England were united under one single king, however, Scotland remained a separate state with its own parliament and government.
The age-old rivalry between Scotland and England ended formally in 1707 when the parliaments of both nations agreed to the Act of Union. This act merged the parliaments of the two nations and established the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Eventually a new Scottish parliament was established in Edinburgh and it is currently making its mark.
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