1603 Union

The Union of 1603 refers to the political merger of England and Scotland when James VI of Scotland also became James I of England. This event unified the two separate kingdoms under a single crown, creating a personal union. While they shared a monarch, they remained separate sovereign states with their own laws and institutions. The union laid the groundwork for a closer political relationship, eventually leading to a formal political union in 1707. The 1603 union fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of Britain, fostering increased cooperation and paving the way for future integration.