Kingdom of England

The dominions of Cnut

[[File:King John signing the Great Charter (Magna Carta) by English School.png|King John signs thumb

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Fifteenth-century miniature depicting the English victory over France at the Battle of Agincourt

Portrait of Elizabeth I made to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada

Kingdom of England

The Kingdom of England was a sovereign state on the island of Great Britain from the 10th century—when it emerged from various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms—until 1707, when it united with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Kingdom of England's legal system, which has been the basis of many legal systems around the world, was established during this period. Its capital and largest city was London.

History

The history of the Kingdom of England begins with the unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in the early 10th century by Alfred the Great and his successors. This period saw the Viking invasions and the establishment of the Danelaw in the north of England. The Norman Conquest of 1066, led by William the Conqueror, brought significant changes to the English culture, language, and governance, replacing the Anglo-Saxon elite with Norman rulers.

During the Middle Ages, the Kingdom of England was involved in various conflicts including the Hundred Years' War with France, and internal conflicts such as the Wars of the Roses, which ended with the rise of the Tudor dynasty in 1485. The Tudor period saw the establishment of the Church of England and the beginning of the English Renaissance.

The Stuart period, beginning in 1603, was marked by religious and political conflicts, which led to the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and the temporary establishment of a republic under Oliver Cromwell. The monarchy was restored in 1660, but the kingdom was plagued by further tensions between the monarchy and Parliament.

The Kingdom of England entered into a personal union with the Kingdom of Scotland in 1603, when James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne as James I of England. This union was formalized in 1707 with the Treaty of Union, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Government and Politics

The Kingdom of England was initially a feudal monarchy, with the king granting land to his most important noblemen, who in turn owed military service and other forms of support. Over time, the power of the English monarchy increased, but it was often checked by the nobility and, later, by Parliament.

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a crucial document that limited the power of the king and laid the foundation for the English legal system and parliamentary democracy. The establishment of the Parliament of England in the 13th century further limited the monarch's power, introducing the concept of a government that must have the consent of the people's representatives.

Culture

The Kingdom of England was known for its significant contributions to literature, art, and science. The English Renaissance, a cultural and artistic movement in the 16th and early 17th centuries, produced notable figures such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. The period also saw advancements in exploration and science, with figures like Sir Isaac Newton and Francis Bacon making significant contributions to their fields.

Economy

The economy of the Kingdom of England was initially based on agriculture, but it began to diversify into woolen manufacturing and trade during the Middle Ages. The establishment of the Bank of England in 1694 was a significant development in the kingdom's economic history, laying the groundwork for modern financial systems.

Legacy

The Kingdom of England has left a lasting legacy on the world, particularly in terms of its legal and political systems, language, and culture. The English legal system, with its emphasis on common law and precedent, has influenced many countries. The English language, which spread across the world through the British Empire, is now one of the most widely spoken languages globally.