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 dispute to this day between Protestants and Catholics, occasionally spilling over into violence, as to whether Northern Ireland should be united with the Republic of Ireland to the south, a largely Catholic country, or remain part of Great Britain.  The (Protestant) United Kingdom formed in response to the movement towards independence by (Catholic) Ireland.

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.

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

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 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”.