Great Britain

See United Kingdom for a more detailed article on this topic.

Great Britain was the largest of the British Isles. It was governed by the United Kingdom. It consisted of England, Scotland and Wales.

Geography

Great Britain was first united as one nation in 1707, by events set in motion through the Alien Act of 1705. (TV: The Highlanders) Its capital city was London, with Edinburgh and Cardiff serving as the regional capitals of Scotland and Wales respectively. (TV: The War Machines, The Highlanders, The Unquiet Dead)

Nationality

People from Great Britain were variously self-identified as "English", "Scottish" or "Welsh" — although members of any of these identities were also more generally considered "British" internationally. The Doctor's long association with the country led him to often be identified as British, typically when he was visiting other parts of Earth. (TV: The Gunfighters, Doctor Who)

Influence on the Doctor

The Doctor visited Great Britain more than anywhere else on his travels. He developed a great affinity for it and even lived there for some time. (TV: An Unearthly Child, et al.) He was well acquainted with the island's historical figures, and was both a friend and antagonist, to several of her monarchs. (TV: Voyage of the Damned, The Crusade, Tooth and Claw, The Impossible Astronaut, The Shakespeare Code) In 1562, when the Tenth Doctor married Queen Elizabeth I, he was effectively King of England. (TV: The Day of the Doctor) The Doctor sometimes considered himself to be British and would often refer to himself as such, (TV: Doctor Who, PROSE: History 101, et al) though on one occasion his tenth incarnation said he wasn't English. (TV: The Day of the Doctor) He accepted a British knighthood from Queen Victoria (TV: Tooth and Claw) and an English knighthood from an imposter posing as King John, (TV: The King's Demons)

History

After several failed attempts, the Roman Empire succeeded in conquering Britain in 43. The Roman occupation of the island lasted until the early 5th century. (AUDIO: The Wrath of the Iceni)

In 305, the Eighth Doctor and Charley Pollard stopped the Nimon from invading a Roman fort in Britannia. (AUDIO: Seasons of Fear)

By the 21st century, Britain was identified as one of the most obese nations of the galaxy. (TV: Partners in Crime)

In the Year That Never Was where the Toclafane ruled Earth, the Saxon Master's new name for Britain was Zone One. (TV: Last of the Time Lords)

By the 26th century, it was known as Greater Britannica. (AUDIO: Scorpius)

In the 29th century, due to solar flares, the United Kingdom abandoned Earth for Starship UK; Scotland opted for its own starship separate from the rest of the kingdom. (TV: The Beast Below) This continued until at least the 52nd century. (TV: The Pandorica Opens)

During the Ice Age of 5000, Brittanicus Base was located in Britain. (TV: The Ice Warriors)

See also

• Scotland
• England
• Wales
• United Kingdom
• Republic of Great Britain