Thursday, December 17, 2015

Scotland and Its History



Do you know the movie featuring Mel Gibson “Braveheart”? If you have watched this movie, you can see some parts of Scotland and its history related to British conquest. In the movie, Scotland has successfully defended the country with a great nationalism spirit. The spirit has become the most powerful defense to take over the freedom. Centuries before the British conquest in this land, Scotland’s history has begun from Roman Empire conquest, although the Empire did not really conquer Scotland, particularly Caledonia. While the ancestors of Scottish were mainly from Scandinavian, Vikings, as nomads they began migrating to the land approximately 800AD. Since their settlement in the West of Scotland, the Kingdom of Alba built by the Picts. The Kingdom became the first ruler that implied feudal system. Macbeth was the first King in the early era of Scottish Kingdom.

 Battle for Freedom from England
                As the fighting to get freedom from British colonial began its conquest there, many British rulers have ruled the country and caused horrors, but in another hand, they triggered a great nationalism spirit. One of the most popular Scotland heroes recorded in Scotland history is William Wallace who fought against the British Kingdom was filmed by Hollywood featuring Mel Gibson. If he fought against King Edward I in 13th, his struggle then continued by Robert the Bruce. His successful fighting to get freedom from England in the 14th century made him became the first crowned King for Scotland. Many historical experts believe that the Scotland movement has inspired United Nations Declaration of Independence. His crown as the first Scotland King is well known as Declaration of Arbroath. 

Union of Crowns
                 In the early stages of Scotland ruling, there were many political problems due to British power remains. The monarch system made chaotic problems in the crown hassle. Mary the Queen is the real fact that shows us how a young crowned queen was powerless to face many powerful people around her who abused power to be the King. The Renaissance has promoted big changes in Scotland in the late 15th century in many aspects of life including politic. There was an idea to create Union of Crowns. Once again, Scotland and its history had strong relation even hand in hand with British history. The idea made it get closer to England. The Act of Union made a consequence in giving Scotland a single Parliament of the United Kingdom at the Palace of Westminster.  In another hand, this idea of merging Scotland in the Union led to other consequences; other battles against British power then began. The Battle of Culloden that only took for one hour in fighting against British army is another proof that Scotland has tried hard to be independent land for centuries. The Act also promoted one single national language that is English, and, therefore, any other spoken languages used in Scotland in the era were forbidden. Thus, Highland Clearance was also about clearing the people of Highland or namely Highlanders from speaking Gaelic. A set of laws was implied to realize the idea of Union Act. There are two important phases of Scottish history in fighting against British power and maintaining its independence.