Kingdom of Great Britain

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The Kingdom of Great Britain was created by the merger of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707 (see Act of Union 1707). A single parliament and government, based in Westminster in London, ran the entire kingdom. They had shared a monarch since King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in 1603.

Union Flag 1606-1800

From 1707, a joint 'British' throne replaced the English and Scottish thrones and a joint Parliament of Great Britain replaced the Scottish and English parliaments. Scotland and England were given seats in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords of the new Parliament, although Scotland's representation in both houses was smaller than her population indicated that it should have been. Scotland was only permitted to elect forty-five Commons and sixteen representative peers.

A devolved Scottish Parliament was re-established on 1 July 1999 following a referendum on 11 September 1997.

The Kingdom of Great Britain was replaced by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801 when Ireland was joined to the united Kingdom of Great Britain.

Monarchs of Great Britain

• Anne (1707-1714), previously Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland since 1702.
• George I (1714-1727)
• George II (1727-1760)
• George III (1760-1801), continued as king of the United Kingdom until 1820.

See also: United Kingdom, Flag of the United Kingdom; UK topics