britain2

Protestantism in Britain snowballed from denying the authority of the Pope, to denying the authority of the Church entirely, and finally denying the authority of the King. The Puritans argued that the word of the majority was the same as the word of God. King Charles I and the royalists stood on the platform of English tradition: such as the rule of law, and a government in which the House of Commons, House of Lords, and the Crown must all share power and work in cooperation. Despite propaganda to the contrary, Charles I never did anything outside of his authority as King. Previous monarchs acted with much greater arbitrariness with no consequences. However, the King's actions, his Scottish ancestry, and sympathy for Roman Catholics all worked against him.
I can only be surprised that Britain has any sort of republican movement at all, given that their only republic in history, the commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell, was the most harsh and tyrannical government Britain has ever known. It was little more than a police-state and once the dictator was safely gone, Britons had the great common sense to promptly restore the Stuart monarchy and place King Charles II on the throne. The Stuarts devotion to their principles at last paid off for them.

As covered elsewhere on this website, I must take sides with the Jacobites in the conflicts of the "Glorious Revolution" and the 15 & 45 Uprisings. For me, they represent a stunning example of British character and devotion, which years of hardship and wars had not managed to extinguish. However, with the failure of the final rising, like most Jacobites I think, I would have given complete loyalty to King George III. It is very ironic that Americans would have revolted against the man who was, undeniably, the most humane, generous, concerned and faithful monarch of the Hannoverian dynasty. The great tragedy, as I see it, was that, after the failure of the Jacobites, with the possible exception of King George III, the British government began the slow tumble into the absolute rule of the well-funded politicians and the creeping disregard of traditional authority symbolized by the monarchy and the Church. As regards to America, I really don't see how the "crimes" of the British government were so intolerant as to justify going to war and shooting government soldiers--may Tom Jefferson have mercy on my soul. Like most revolutions, it simply took on a life of its own.

Perhaps it is ironic that after the loss of the American colonies Great Britain became the greatest colonial power in the world. And, I must say with a touch of pride, the British Empire, for all that it was, seems to me to have been the most humane and benevolent of all European empires, though, granted Germany was not given much of an opportunity to prove itself. There was exploitation and cruelties, but when compared with the French in particular, the British colonial record was not that bad. In fact, per capita as it were, the British kept less troops in the

entire subcontinent of India, than the French stationed in their colony of Indochina alone. The British were also much more adept at using natives to a greater extent in their imperial administration than the Portuguese, Dutch or French. And, since the end of the traditional colonial era, Britain seems to have the best relationship of any European country with her former colonies, America included. Probably because, even when the British were forced to surrender their empire, as with all things, they did it with the very best taste.
In my mind, one of the most critical mistakes made by Great Britain, though one shared with many others, in modern times, was their conduct in World War I. Once the Tsar had been murdered and the Kaiser chased from his throne, I think King George V privately realized this, but too little too late. World War I was the point, in my opinion, when republicanism finally overtook monarchy in the minds of people throughout the world. As the Kaiser said, I don't think Queen Victoria would have allowed it. From this point onwards, the USA took the lead in world affairs, and as a result, the republican form of government was forced on many different peoples around the world whose culture would have fit much better following the example of the British constitutional monarchy, fitted for their own national traditions. Unfortunately in many cases, and it must be said, due to the

lust to strike down German competition as a world leader, the British have been forced to take a back-seat to America in the leadership of world affairs.
Today, Great Britain is in a diffucult position. They seem to be stuck between becoming an instrument of the United States, and becoming an instrument of the EU politicians in Brussels. I have nothing against European unity, provided that it is based on tradition, Christianity and regional autonomy i.e. the unity of Christendom and the Holy Roman Empire. I think Britain is wise to be wary of European Union membership.

I am extremely proud of the fact that the U.K. remains a true constitutional monarchy, rather than simply a symbolic one, or a crowned republic, however, I wish more Britons would take care to defend their traditions and their Royal Family, which, on the whole, has been exemplary. Monarchs such as George V, George VI and Elizabeth II, have been an example to people all around the world as ideal royal leaders. I think they have been, and continue to be, unjustly attacked for minute details, while the power and corruption of the politicians is allowed to run unchecked. I wish Britons would take a stand against the politicians and allow their monarch to use the powers that constitutionally belong to the crown. Recently, there have been many proposed changes written up by the liberal radicals within the country. Personally, and it should come as no surprise, I would like to see the ban on Catholic marriages and Catholics in the succession to be lifted, however, I do not agree with the idea of disestablishing the Church of England. If they restored the established Church to its Catholic roots I would be only too happy, however, if it is simply dis-established, the only thing that will be accomplished will be that Britain will no longer, officially, be a Christian country. Catholic or Protestant, Britain has Christian roots that cannot be denied, and should not be cast away. Protestant though it may be, I simply adore the fact that, as much as it annoys some people, every coin still bears the title "Dei Gratia Regina",--and that my friends, is exactly the way it should be. God Save the Queen!