The Influence Of The Scottish Presbyterians On The Relationship Between Scotland And England (1603-1707)

In the 16 th century,a far-reaching religious reform movement took place throughout Europe.England and Scotland became Protestant countries in the reform movement.Although they are both Protestant,the Presbyterians in Scotland are different from the Anglican in England.In 1603,Scotland and England achieved the Union of Crowns.During the period,with the support of the King,the Anglican gradually replaced the Presbyterians in Scotland,which provoked the strong resistance of the Scottish people.In 1638,the Scottish Presbyterians drafted the National Covenant against the King and established the Covenant.In 1639-1641,the Covenant launched a military operation aimed at defending the Scottish Presbyterians and defeated the King and the bishop.This directly led to the contradiction between Scotland and England under the framework of the Union of Crowns.The Scottish Presbyterians become to oppose the Union of Crown,which only opposed the religious policy of the king at first.The relationship between Scotland and England took a turn in 1643.This year,due to dissatisfaction with the King,the Scottish Covenant and the English parliament signed the Solemn League and Covenant,the Presbyterians sent troops to the south and the English parliamentary army to fight against Charles I.The Presbyterians? intention was to extend the Scottish Presbyterians to England after defeating the King.But this ended up with Cromwell’s rule in England.Since then,Scotland and England have once again declared war until Cromwell defeated Scotland.Cromwell has a religious tolerance policy in Scotland.This religious tolerance policy is somewhat better than the religious assimilation policy of James I and Charles I in Scotland.The situation of the Scottish Presbyterians during the Cromwell period has improved.But the Scottish Presbyterians pursue the presupposition of the Presbyterians in Scotland,rather than the Presbyterians coexisting with other religious such as the Catholic Church.The resentment of the Presbyterians to Cromwell?s religious tolerance policy,to a certain extent,promoted the joint support of Scotland and England for Charles II to restore the Stuart Dynasty and the restoration of the union relationship between Scotland and England.However,the religious policies of Charles II and James II in Scotland were not much different from those of Charles I.In the struggle between the Presbyterians and the King,the relationship between Scotland and England was once again in turmoil.After the Glorious Revolution in England,a similar reform broke out in Scotland,and Scotland and England together dethroned the status of James II.This pushed the relationship between Scotland and England to the crossroads of history.Scotland and England are likely to completely end the Union of Crown and become two completely independent countries.Scotland clearly stated to William III,who had been King of England,that only when William III accept,respect and protect the Scottish Presbyterians,can Scotland appoint him as the King of Scotland.Under the premise of William III’s compromise,the Scottish Presbyterians finally agreed to William III as the King of Scotland,and Scotland and England continued the relationship of the Union of Crowns.At this time,the relationship between James I,Charles I,Charles II and James II was significantly different,that is,Scotland and England are in a relatively equal position,the King and England are impossible to assimilate the religious beliefs of Scotland by Anglican.At the end of the 17 th century and the beginning of the 18 th century,if the relationship between the two Kingdoms can be developed from the Union of Crowns to the merger,this will help the relationship between the two countries move to a new stage of development.The sensitive religious issue has become one of the main obstacles in Scotland and England.Given the constant damage to the Scottish Presbyterians in history,the Presbyterians have doubts about the Union with England.After discussion,England and Scotland finally decided to be independent of the Scottish Presbyterians in the United Kingdom.With the basic guarantees,the Scottish Presbyterians finally agreed to Union with England for the overall interests and long-term development of the Scottish nation.It can be said that,to a certain extent,it is the wise attitude of the Scottish Presbyterians that allowed Scotland and England to Union smoothly.