Development of British Isles if Margaret, Maid of Norway Lives

[Deleted member 204809]

One of the most popular alternative history scenarios is Margaret, Maid of Norway surviving, marrying Edward II, therefore having the union of the crowns occur far, far earlier. This also means, however, that Edward II does not marry Philippa of Hainault, averting the Hundred Years War, and the casting away of the last vestiges of the Norman identity among the nobility. Moreover, there would presumably be no Scottish Wars of Independence, having unknown ramifications on the Scottish national consciousness. So, how would the British Isles develop in such a scenario?

 

[Dragonboy]

that Edward II does not marry Philippa of Hainault

that would be his son edward III. Eddy II married isabella, the she-wolf of france

 

[Deleted member 204809]

that would be his son edward III. Eddy II married isabella, the she-wolf of france

Yep, apologies

 

[ordinarylittleme]

Moreover, there would presumably be no Scottish Wars of Independence

Could always just have Edward x Margaret be an incompetent hot mess that ruins Scotland for a bit, if you want an equivalent war to break out

 

[Dragonboy]

Could always just have Edward x Margaret be an incompetent hot mess that ruins Scotland for a bit, if you want an equivalent war to break out

dear lord let's hope not

 

[isabella]

Could always just have Edward x Margaret be an incompetent hot mess that ruins Scotland for a bit, if you want an equivalent war to break out

Pretty unlikely to happen at all and Margaret‘s rule would not be challenged as she is the last heiress of her house

 

[Fabius Maximus]

Could always just have Edward x Margaret be an incompetent hot mess that ruins Scotland for a bit, if you want an equivalent war to break out

To be fair I don't know much about Margaret, but Edward was by all accounts a very competent monarch.

 

[Old1812]

A personal union of England and Scotland in the 14th century means all kinds of fascinating consequences for English and Scottish culture. The cultural divide between "English" and "Scottish" is still being hammered out at this point - maybe we could a blended Anglo-Scottish culture develop over the coming centuries?

 

[ECavalier]

.

A personal union of England and Scotland in the 14th century means all kinds of fascinating consequences for English and Scottish culture. The cultural divide between "English" and "Scottish" is still being hammered out at this point - maybe we could a blended Anglo-Scottish culture develop over the coming centuries?

I’d imagine that Scottish would be more readily synonymous with Gaelic as Scots has only recently finished eclipsing it. Given there is already a lot of shared history and linguistic similarities between Scots speakers and northern middle English speakers perhaps otl Scots becomes perceived as one “Inglis” language along with the Northumbrian dialect.