Letter: Simply not British

Sir: I am fascinated by William Rees-Mogg's quaint theory ('The fourth estate: not guilty', 14 December) that the British monarchy and British state existed in 1485.

Is it not ironic that this solecism slips so readily into the columns of a leading British newspaper within hours of Europe's leaders dispersing from a royal palace in one of the two kingdoms from which Britain was ultimately formed - that palace being the original seat of the first British monarch?

Civilised, erudite Englishmen who expunge from history troublesome references to smaller nations - on the grounds that they are beneath notice - should watch the company they keep in 20th-century European history.

Yours faithfully,

DANIEL CONVERY

Edinburgh

14 December