The Scottish Union Bill of 1656-7: The Scottish Union Bill of 1656-7

The Scottish Union Bill introduced to the second Protectorate Parliament in October 1656 was based on the union ordinance of 1654, but it was then subjected to wide-ranging amendments over the next few months. These amendments made many concessions to the Scots, including recognizing their separate legal system and the rights of the burghs,and allowing an expansion of free trade.This article explores the implications of these changes to the constitutional relationship between the two nations, and identies the changes with a programme of reform championed by the Scottish council, led by Lord Broghill. The fate of the Union Bill thus became linked to the wider reform movement that saw the replacement of the Instrument of Government with the more moderate, civilian constitution known as the Humble Petition and Advice in the spring of 1657.