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A Scot's History of Britishness

A Scot's History of Britishness: Episode 2

Factual: History

Episode 2

BBC Radio Scotland - A Scot's History of Britishness, Episode 2

Richard Holloway continues with monarchs and radicals, unionists and nationalists.

Monarchs and radicals, unionists and nationalists - Richard Holloway continues his exploration of the Scots-British identity.

Richard Holloway explores the strange world of 19th century Scottish Britishness. We meet the British royals who adopted Scottish residences, Scottish religion and Scottish plumage but who wouldn't do the same for Ireland, which theoretically was just as British at the time. Richard finds out about the Scottish radicals who insisted that Britishness meant liberty for all, not just an elite, and who confusingly, were as quick to invoke King Alfred and Magna Carta as the Covenanters and George Buchanan. And if you thought that was confusing, then there are the Scottish patriots who insisted Robert Bruce and William Wallace were heroes for the Union. Yes, you read that correctly. National identity in the past can be very different to today.

BBC Radio Scotland

Richard Holloway delves into the history of the Scottish version of Britishness.

Was Britishness another great Scottish invention? Richard Holloway begins a personal exploration of the Scots-British identity.

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