[HPforGrownups] Wizard popn./Snape/McGonagall

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 4168

At 19:48 10/20/2000 +0200, Christian wrote:

>>I cannot remember excactly where I heard it first, but
>>I have this memory impressed in my brain from
>>somewhere that Rowling said Scotland was treated
>>separately.  I may be wrong, though.  I find it entire
>>plausible, though, as Scotland has parts of its
>>government and, I believe, educational system separate
>>from the of the rest of Britain.  

I think you may have misinterpreted what she said, Christian - can you
dredge up the source?  

Scotland has a separate parliament now, but it didn't in the period in which
these books are set.  It does indeed have a different educational system to
that of England and Wales and that would have been the case then; perhaps
JKR was referring to this situation in the real world (yes, that again)
rather than that in the wizarding world?  I think JKR has said that Hogwarts
is the only wizarding school in the UK, and that certainly includes Scotland.  

Since she lives in Edinburgh, I think it would be a bit bizarre for JKR to
write about a school for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
and never mention an implied Scottish school.  We don't know it, but I'd lay
money on the fact that Hogwarts is located in Scotland.  Nick, Penny and
others posted loads on this.  I thought Edinburgh Castle looked like my
vision of Hogwarts. 

>>This is also true for the authorities charged with administering the use
>>of heraldry.  Scotland is a separate kingdom, after all.  

Scotland is not a separate kingdom, it's part of the United Kingdom.  If it
were still a separate kingdom it would have a different monarch and the
Queen would not be able to kick her heels and her Corgis at her favourite
hangout, Balmoral Castle.  

>>>Out of curiosity, Neil, (based on an exclamation you used) - do you read
Katharine Kerr?

No.  Perhaps she reads me? <g>


            Flying-Ford-Anglia

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   "Then, dented, scratched and steaming, 
   the car rumbled off into the darkness, 
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 [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]

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