Intellectual History Commons^™

James I And British Identity: The Development Of A British Identity From 1542-1689, Zachary A. Bates

DISCOVERY: Georgia State Honors College Undergraduate Research Journal

The development of a British identity was an ongoing process during the seventeenth century. In this paper, I argue that the ascension of James to the English throne in 1603 would be integral to the establishing of a British identity in both England and Scotland. James, from 1604 to 1607, tried to create a political union between the two kingdoms but would ultimately fail due to English concerns (primarily in Parliament) about the "imperfect union" and the absence of any tradition to sustain a new kingdom. James would continue to style himself "King of Great Britain," a styling he established …