Changes

Today the term “Great Britain” means England, Scotland and Wales, which share the same large island (see right).  It is “Great" to distinguish it from France's Brittania Minor (more simply, “Brittany”).  

Today the term “Great Britain” means England, Scotland and Wales, which share the same large island (see right).  It is “Great" to distinguish it from France's Brittania Minor (more simply, “Brittany”).  

The term “United Kingdom” refers to the combination (union) of “Great Britain” and “Northern Ireland,” which is part of the island of Ireland.  There is violent conflict to this day between Protestants and Catholics as to whether Northern Ireland should be part of the separate nation of the (Catholic) Ireland (they share the same island) or Great Britain.  The (Protestant) United Kingdom formed in response to the movement towards independence by (Catholic) Ireland.

The term “United Kingdom” refers to the union) of the three nation which make up Great Britain together with Northern Ireland, which is part of the island of Ireland.  There is conflict to this day, which occasionally becomes violent, as to whether Northern Ireland should become part of a united Ireland, together with the largely catholic [[Republic of Ireland]], which is favoured by most catholics in the North, or remain united with Great Britain, which is favoured by most protestants.  The United Kingdom, in which protestant churches were in the ascendancy, was formed in 1800 in response to the movement towards independence by both protestants and catholics in Ireland in the late 18th century. The Protestant versus Catholic feud is almost entirely anachronistic.

Within Great Britain, the people of Scotland and Wales take offense at being called "English".  The Scottish, for example, pride themselves at being different (and superior?) to the English.

Within Great Britain, the people of Scotland and Wales take offense at being called "English".  The Scottish, for example, pride themselves at being different from the English. On most occasions, the Protestant majority of Northern Ireland, most of whom prefer to remain united with Great Britain, wishes to be called British, whereas the Catholic minority of Northern Ireland, most of whom wish to become part of a united Ireland, prefers to be called Irish. When playing England in sports matches, however, and particularly in [[Rugby Union]] in which there is a single Irish team, both protestants and catholics cheerful describe themselves as Irish to distinguish themselves from their ancient enemy.

 

The Protestant majority of Northern Ireland, which prefers to remain allied with Great Britain, wishes to be called “British”; the Catholic minority of Northern Ireland, which wants to be allied with Ireland, prefers to be called “Irish”.

 

The Protestant versus Catholic feud is increasingly anachronistic.

==Age of Revolution==

==Age of Revolution==