We were a trading race, everything came from wanting to make money. Being able to communicate with the people who are buying your goods was a major incentive.

I didn't know that the British caused the potato famine.

Gaining this benighted little hole of a Despot Republic is hardly regaining Brittany. Who cares where or what they do?

The Commonwealth was supposed to join countries with a common join in Heritage, and probably to aid in trade and diplomacy.