The Birth of Britain - W. A. Speck

This is a vivid narrative account of the events, troubles andtriumphs of the opening decade of the eighteenth century - of thelife and death of Prince George, the trial of Dr Sacheverell, theGreat Wind of 1703, the duke of Marlborough's victories in Europe,and of the union of Scotland with England and Wales - the creationof the British nation.
After an introduction setting the social and political scene, achapter is devoted to each year. The rhythm of life was conditionedby frequent general elections of which there were no less than six,and the country was in an almost permanent state of election fever.Scotland too underwent a decisive election in 1703 which paved theway for the Union of 1707. Whether or not (as the author enquires)this was the greatest political conspiracy of the century, Scotsnow shared with English voters in contests for the return of MPs -to what for the first time could be called the Parliament of GreatBritain.