Who Gave England Its Independence?
The question 'which country gave England its independence' turns out to be a tricky one, as England itself was never dependent on any external nation to grant it sovereignty. Instead, England gained its independence through a combination of its own efforts and the actions of other powers.
Great Britain: An Island Not a Country
Great Britain is an island, not a country, and the concept of 'independence' does not apply in the same way it would for a continental nation. The idea of Great Britain as a unified entity began with the Act of Union of 1707, which united the English and Scottish crowns under a single monarch. However, this was more of a political merger than an act of independence from another nation.
The formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain was a result of the failure of the Darien Venture, a Scottish colonial enterprise that ended in financial disaster for the Scottish Crown. England and Scotland were united by the Union of the Crowns in 1603, following the death of Queen Elizabeth I, and this was a merger of two separate kingdoms under a common monarch. Before this, both England and Scotland were indeed independent countries, each with its own distinct history and governance.
Around this time, Robert the Bruce did indeed win the First War of Scottish Independence against England, which effectively liberated Scotland from English control. However, this event is more about Scotland's independence rather than giving independence to England.
The Angevin Dynasty: England’s European Ties
The key to understanding England's independence lies in its royal lineage. The Angevin Dynasty, which ruled England, consisted of rulers like Henry Plantagenet, Richard Coeur de Lion, and John Lackland. This dynasty was not just English; it also held a considerable amount of land in modern-day France. Their primary interests often lay in France rather than England, as evidenced by their frequent involvement in continental politics and wars.
The reigns of these kings, especially John Lackland, were marked by struggles in both England and France. John's conflicts in France ultimately led to the Angevins losing control of most of their French territories, including Anjou. This loss of power marked a significant shift for England, as it redirected the focus of royal and political efforts back towards England, leading to a renewed sense of national identity and independence.
Philip II of France, not Philip II of Spain, played a pivotal role in this process. The latter, Philip II of Spain, was only a former king of England and was less influential in the affairs of the Angevin crown. In contrast, Philip II of France, through his military prowess and political maneuvering, forced the Angevin kings to cede their control over significant parts of France. This, in essence, allowed England to stand on its own.
The Legacy of the Angevin Dynasty
The Angevin Dynasty's legacy in English history is complex. While they initially brought together England and France under one crown, they ultimately contributed to the strengthening of England as a separate and independent nation. The loss of French territories under John Lackland led to a reevaluation of England's self-identity and its future direction. The post-Angevin period saw a greater focus on English affairs, leading to the development of a distinctly English identity and governance system.
While England never had to 'ask' for its independence, the actions of external powers, particularly the loss of French territories by the Angevin kings, played a crucial role in ensuring that England's future was defined by its own interests and governance rather than being tied to France.
In conclusion, England's independence is a result of both its own historical developments and the actions of the Angevin Dynasty, particularly through the loss of their French territories. This process marked a significant shift in England's political and national identity, setting the stage for its future as a sovereign and independent nation.