- Joined
- Aug 25, 2007
- Messages
- 6,422
- Reaction score
- 879
I have observed, especially while living in Scotland, that 600 year old history can still get you punched in the face in the local if you choose the wrong moment to be glib. It remains very important indeed to many people. You aren't obliged to consider it important, they aren't obliged to consider it unimportant, no one has to laugh and no one gets punched in the face. That's how diversity works.
I also lived in Scotland for many years, though I've never seen anyone in the least danger of being assaulted over 600 year old history. But that's irrelevant. This was an English monarch, and no historical figures from so far back have any general emotional resonance. You might be able to get an interesting debate about Cromwell, say, or the Reformation, with one or two but the vast majority -- and I mean very very vast -- couldn't give a toss.