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Britain...and FRANCE?!
Jan. 15th, 2007 08:53 pmIt turns out that the 1950s may have changed the name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and FRANCE!!!!
Yep, in 1956, according to recently-released papers, the British and French prime ministers were considering merging and bringing France into the British Commonwealth.
Now, considering modern Franco-British history, the plan sounds unthinkable at worst and bizarre at best. But when you consider the past, it's not that strange. Post-1066, England, Wales, and (half-heartedly) Ireland were ruled by the same people who ruled much of northern and central France, the Normans under William the Conqueror, his descendants, and the successor Plantagenet (Angevin) family. Later on, especially in Tudor times, France and Scotland were quite chummy. Even though England and Scotland were officially Protestant, Mary Queen of Scots and Charles I of England and VII of Scotland were both married to French nobles, and many Scottish nobles were educated or sought refuge in France, including the exiled James II.
So, considering past history, it's not that odd. Considering history since the Seven Years' War, it sounds almost impossible to pull off!
Yep, in 1956, according to recently-released papers, the British and French prime ministers were considering merging and bringing France into the British Commonwealth.
Now, considering modern Franco-British history, the plan sounds unthinkable at worst and bizarre at best. But when you consider the past, it's not that strange. Post-1066, England, Wales, and (half-heartedly) Ireland were ruled by the same people who ruled much of northern and central France, the Normans under William the Conqueror, his descendants, and the successor Plantagenet (Angevin) family. Later on, especially in Tudor times, France and Scotland were quite chummy. Even though England and Scotland were officially Protestant, Mary Queen of Scots and Charles I of England and VII of Scotland were both married to French nobles, and many Scottish nobles were educated or sought refuge in France, including the exiled James II.
So, considering past history, it's not that odd. Considering history since the Seven Years' War, it sounds almost impossible to pull off!
