Since the Romans named the island 'Britannia', people there have been in one regard or another been known as 'Britons'. The Romano-British's king styled himself as 'King of the Britons'. However, the first steps for the modern British Empire began in 1066 with the Norman invasion of England and claiming the English throne. While initially, England's claim to the French throne remained disputed and lead to war, England's own interest in the British Isles began growing.
It would not be until 1707, that the Kingdom of Great Britain was established, unifying Scotland and England into one sovereign state. But already by 1707, Great Britain had established its importance on world scene, including its colonial empire. Approximately a hundred years later in 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed, establishing all the kingdoms on the isles as one state.
The British Empire's golden era was the Victorian Era, where the United Kingdom had colonies and subjects on every continent. This lead to its alternative title, 'The Empire Where The Sun Never Sets', highlighting the United Kingdom's exploits. However, despite approval of the Empire at home, its colonies were slowly beginning to distrust the Throne. The first major setback was the American Revolution in 1776, where due to the high taxes on the North American colonies - as they were worth little to the British, but had high maintenance costs - lead to the loss of its North American holdings, except Canada. But even that would eventually more independent.
Following the Two World Wars, it became apparent that the British Empire no longer had the financial oversight to maintain its overseas territories, and slowly its Empire crumpled around it. Along with France, the United Kingdom were the last two major colonial Empires to see their former holdings escape from their grasp. Today, the United Kingdom remains a shadow of its former self, with strong independence movements running even on the islands. Like the Netherlands, it must be hard to know that one's country's best days are behind it.
@Somebody: Or India? Or South Africa? Or Hawaii? Or Falklands Islands? No, my friend, I tried to limit myself in what I would mention. Australia is not that big a deal in the UK's history.
There is nothing quite like a redhead...especially with features like that! ^^
I have to say, thanks for this series of pics Svip and Woot. While the..."softer" ones are more my style, all of the Historines have been adorable regardless of their country/period of origin. Not to mention I'm learning! =D
@Svip: as far as I know Hawaii weren't British colonies, it was an independent kingdom, it became a republic after a coup d'etat lead by Americans businessmen and it was annexed by the U.S.A. 4 years later.
@Somebody: According to everything I've ever seen on the matter of Australia... Australia was a social experiment, and a way for them to cut costs on prisoners. They are what happens when you take a large island, and drop off all your prisoners on it.
@Svip Well, Australia is where they dumped all the people who were imprisoned for being Irish but yeah India's the most glaring omission. America wasn't exactly a setback as the Industrial Revolution and the 19th Century was their peak of power, decline started because of World War I.
I am afraid that the upcoming commissions are set in stone. For one, woot got overwhelmed by the long list and I should also leave woot open for other people to commission from him.
That is not to say my Historines series is going to stop at that point. I am already in talks with other artists about helping out on this series. But I thank you for your suggestions, but I don't want you to get your hopes up for them. At least not right now. Still, I believe that the upcoming ones will satisfy you regardless.
@Alaana: I mention America as a significant event because it was the first major revolution, but I know it was not a major setback for the empire. In fact, economically, I suppose they were glad initially to get rid of them.
As always svip manages to tell the facts without major bias and that's something rather unusual over the mainstream internet. Oh yeah this british lass face is sooooo adorable. And this is a kind of eclipse I'd love to see.
I wonder was the british empire good or bad for the world. They conquered the world but made people to live life in british ways changing their cultures to suit the British needs. http://whatwhy.in/index.php/culture/the-british-empire-were-they-good-or-bad-for-the-world/297/
While your knowledge of European History and your willing to share it is to be admired, this is seriously perverted... I admit she's got a cute face (but she's a simple drawing, so my liking is cut short), But how in the hell does she stand, or do anything else for that matter?
![Historines: British Empire [Commission]](./content/591.png)
It would not be until 1707, that the Kingdom of Great Britain was established, unifying Scotland and England into one sovereign state. But already by 1707, Great Britain had established its importance on world scene, including its colonial empire. Approximately a hundred years later in 1801, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was formed, establishing all the kingdoms on the isles as one state.
The British Empire's golden era was the Victorian Era, where the United Kingdom had colonies and subjects on every continent. This lead to its alternative title, 'The Empire Where The Sun Never Sets', highlighting the United Kingdom's exploits. However, despite approval of the Empire at home, its colonies were slowly beginning to distrust the Throne. The first major setback was the American Revolution in 1776, where due to the high taxes on the North American colonies - as they were worth little to the British, but had high maintenance costs - lead to the loss of its North American holdings, except Canada. But even that would eventually more independent.
Following the Two World Wars, it became apparent that the British Empire no longer had the financial oversight to maintain its overseas territories, and slowly its Empire crumpled around it. Along with France, the United Kingdom were the last two major colonial Empires to see their former holdings escape from their grasp. Today, the United Kingdom remains a shadow of its former self, with strong independence movements running even on the islands. Like the Netherlands, it must be hard to know that one's country's best days are behind it.