'scuse me- - - England did NOT 'absorb' Scotland!!! a) James VI of Scotland became heir to the English throne in (I think) 1604 so the two kingdoms became the 'United Kingdoms' and the Kinking became James I of the United Kingdoms of Scotland and England. However in Scotland we have always referred to him as 'Jamie Saxth and First' b)Both countries retained their parliaments until 1707 when after some devious machinations the Scots lords (pre-democratic voting!) were 'persuaded' --- both parliaments were to be set aside and a new one formed for the United Kingdoms (tho' it would be based at Westminster.....) For some reason a large proportion of the English population seem to think that Scotland is some sort of region or province of England, and that 'United Kingdoms' and 'England' are interchangeable. Alas much of the wider world has also fallen for that myth -- -
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