The Norman invasion of Wales from 1067–1283 (formalised with the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284) put Wales in England's control, and Wales came under English law with the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542.

At the start of the period its capital and chief royal residence was Winchester, but Westminster and Gloucester were accorded almost equal status, with Westminster gradually gaining preference.Įngland as a nation state began on 12 July 927 AD after a gathering of kings from throughout Britain at Eamont Bridge, Cumbria, but broadly traces its origins to the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain and the Heptarchy of petty states that followed and ultimately united. It had a land border with the Kingdom of Scotland to the north. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain (including both modern-day England and Wales) and several smaller outlying islands what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England and Wales. The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. Roman Catholic until 1533 and from 1553 to 1558, Protestant from 1533 to 1553 and from 1558 onwardĪbsolute Monarchy (before 1215), Semiconstitutional Monarchy (1215-1646, 1660-1689), Constitutional Monarchy (1689-1707) Middle English (de facto, 1066 – late 15th century)Įnglish language (de facto, from 16th century) Norman-French (de jure, 1066 – 15th century)

Last kingdom map of england