England is not an island. It is not surrounded by sea, as it has Scotland to the north and Wales to the west. So why do so many English people think it is? I think it is caused by confusion (and a little ignorance). See, when England took over Wales they saw it as part of English territory. You can see why.. I mean the Welsh totally surrendered their sovereignty, and the English legal system was imposed on them.

But with us Scots it was different. For a start it was our Royal family who took over in England. The Stuart dynasty is Scottish. For a while it was only the Crown that was united, then the Parliaments were merged. They did not however take over our legal system, or our state religion, or our educational system. Most importantly they did not take over our attitude. It remains hostile at a national level. I should stress right away this does not apply to English people on a one to one basis. Most are fine. Its just that, as a group, they tend to take over wherever they are. And you know what? Its really wearing after a while.