Chapter 97: Union PT 3
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Banned
Chapter 97: Union PT 3
September, 1612
Henry looked around the gathered chamber, and nodded to various men as his eyes passed over them. He had decided to give the speech introducing the Act of Union before the Scottish Parliament today as he was the embodiment of that Union. His father had agreed, and though the Lord High Commissioner, Lord Dunfermline had offered Henry the throne, he had declined. He wanted to give the speech from the benches to better convey the message to those gathered.
Anna Maria had gone into confinement and as such was waiting for news back in Holyrood, but others from London, like John Harington and William Cavendish and of course his ever-faithful David Murray were sat in the viewing gallery waiting to see what would happen. Henry hoped that the Act would pass, that it had been agreed upon relatively quickly after the King had found a compromise for the Catholics was a good sign. He just hoped the stubborn lot amongst the Scottish Estates saw that.
The Earl of Dunfermline banged his gavel and the hall fell silent. “My Lords and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to discuss something of great importance. A Union of Parliaments and of Kingdoms between our great and noble Kingdom and the Kingdoms of England and Ireland. His Highness the Duke of Rothesay has come to present the terms of the Union.” Dunfermline took a breath and then looked at Henry. “Your Highness.”
Henry rose, looked at Dunfermline and said. “Thank you, Lord High Commissioner.”
He looked away from Dunfermline and toward the gathered chamber. “My Lords and Honourable Gentlemen, we are here today as Lord Dunfermline said, to discuss a Union between Scotland, England and Ireland. It is something that has long been a desire of His Majesty the King. It is something that is desired here, which is something I know from speaking with you all at various points over the past month. Consequently, I believe that the Act of Union that has been agreed upon is the best possible Act that could be achieved and will bring benefits to Scotland all the constituent parts of His Majesty’s Kingdom.” Henry saw some murmuring there but ignored it and continued.
He fixed his attention on Lord Maitland, a man who Henry had always thought was as wily as a fox. “A new Kingdom must have a name, and it has been agreed that the new Kingdom formed from this Union will be entitled the United Kingdom of the British Isles, representing a current fact as well as historical reality. For the Almighty God has made us one Isle united in culture, language and faith.” He saw the Archbishop of St Andrews nodding in approval at this.
“The United Kingdom will have one Parliament based in Westminster.” Henry continued, turning his attention now to the more legal minded of the attendees. “It will be formed of the Lords and the Commons. There shall be no limit to the number of Lords who can attend Parliament from across the Kingdom, as long as they are of age and are of sound mind and body.” There was a slight murmuring at that, Henry ignored it and continued.
“In the Commons, the following number of members shall be elected from each constituent part. Scotland: 45 members, Ireland: 90 members, England: 513 members. These are divided into Borough Constituencies, County Constituencies and University Constituencies. Those of a Catholic disposition may stand to be a member of the Commons or may take their place in the Lords as long as they swear the Oath of Allegiance and recognise the supremacy of His Majesty the King on all matters not related to Rome.” Henry said.
Silence greeted that pronouncement, Henry felt that that could be taken either as a very good sign, or a bad sign. Either way, he would find out when it came to voting. He took another breath. “And then there is the economic situation to be discussed.”
Here, Henry could tell that everyone was interested. Indeed, as he looked up, he could’ve sworn that almost everyone was leaning forward. He repressed a smirk and continued. “All tariffs on goods moving between the Kingdom shall be removed, and there shall be a single market for the United Kingdom.” That was met with cheers, which subsided after a while.
“There shall be a single currency which shall be gradually introduced, though it is expected that all old currency from Scotland, England and Ireland shall be placed out of circulation by 1616.” Henry said. He thought the four-year grace period was perhaps a bit long, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer had insisted on it.
There was a brief pause as Henry caught his breath. He then finished with. “There shall be a single army and navy for the defence of the realm, and as the taxes for this will be paid to London, so too shall the taxes for all else be paid to London.”
“All existing Parliaments shall be dissolved and fresh elections for the first Parliament of the United Kingdom shall take place between November and December of this year, with the new Parliament meeting in January of 1613.”
He sat back down, and wondered whether he should have mentioned the flag, but remembered what the King had said to him before he’d departed. “The flag cannot be voted on, because it is ours, the Kingdom is ours, not the other way around.”
And so, he left it at that and waited.
The Lord High Commissioner banged his gavel and said. “Thank you, Your Highness. Now, let us proceed to the vote.”
“Those in favour, say aye.”
Henry raised his hand and said. “Aye.” He heard a large echo as countless other hands went up and ayes were said.
He noted a teller making a note of this.
“All those against, say nay.”
There was an awkward pause and then a few lone voices said. “Nay.”
Henry looked around the room and saw MacDonald of Sleat with his hand raised, and to his right, MacDonald of Keppoch. He frowned. They’d both said they’d support the Union. They’d been promised lucrative deals for their support.
A teller made a note and then handed the paper to the Lord High Commissioner, as did the other teller. The Lord High Commissioner opened the second paper and said. “The ayes have 240 votes.” He handed that paper back and then opened the first paper. “The nays have 10 votes.” A pause and then. “The ayes have it. The ayes have it.”
Henry breathed a sigh of relief, and watched as the Commissioner handed both papers back to their respective tellers, and took the sceptre from a servant, the Lord High Chancellor stepped forward with the document that was the Act itself, and the Commissioner tapped the sceptre to the document twice. He then proclaimed. “It is done, God Save the King and the United Kingdom of the British Isles.”
“God Save The King and the United Kingdom of the British Isles!” Henry and everyone else said.
