The Geographical Constitution

British History

• Diverse population.
• 43 AD Roman
• Jutes, Angles, Danes, Vikings
• King Æthelstan (r. 927–939) united kingdoms to form England
• William the Conqueror 1066 AD
• Video: https://www.openculture.com/2019/11/the-entire-history-of-the-british-isles...

What did William Bring?

• Mainstream religion - Justice system
• Cuisine (rabbits) - Cider
• Feudal system - End of slavery
• Architecture
• Inhereted surnames
• Language
• Domesday book - juries - tax

Brian is in the kitchen

• 'Native' Brits had to learn new words for foodstuff
• If the nobles ordered 'cow' to be served, they said "boeuf" which became 'beef'.
• Pig - Porc - Pork
• Sheep - Mouton - Mutton

Untitled Slide

• French remained the first language for over 300 years, 500 in certain institutions.
• William introduced 10,000 new words, 7,000 of which survive today.
• From 1066, the educated spoke Latin, nobility French, everyone else English
• Around 1180 AD, a new sense of national identity emerged.
• The two languages started to merge.

The United Kingdom

• England ( pop 56.5m )
• Scotland ( pop 5.5m )
• Wales ( pop 3m )
• Northern Ireland ( pop 2m)
• Population figures from mid 2020

Union

• England 'evolved' - no constitution.
• Wales conquered by 14th century (King Edward I). King Henry VIII imposed the English legal system (1536).
• Scotland's independence recognised 1328. King James ruled both in the 17th century. Union in 1707.
• Ireland - UK in 1800 , out in 1921. Ulster (NI) remained British.

Devolution

• NI assembly suspended between 2002 & 2007
• Scotland and Wales supported indpendence in post war Britain. Granted May 1999.
• Scottish referendum Sept 2014 55% - 45%

Brexit

• Scotland voted 62%-38% to stay.
• NI voted to stay.
• More Catholic influence in the north may lead to a unified Ireland.
• Wales can enact primary legislation.
• Welsh language schools are successful.
• EVEL?

Conclusion

• No such thing as "British Law".
• Devolution allows for differences in law existing between the four countries.
• The UK left the EU 31/01/2020 - further consitutional upheaval likely.