Act of Settlement 1701

The Act of Settlement 1701 was a crucial law in British history that determined the line of succession to the English throne. It aimed to ensure that only Protestant descendants of James VI and I could inherit the crown, thus excluding Catholics. The Act specifically designated Sophia of Hanover, a Protestant, as the heir, leading to the establishment of the House of Hanover. This law was significant in shaping the monarchy and preserving Protestant leadership in England, reflecting the political and religious tensions of the time. It underpinned the idea of constitutional monarchy by entrenching parliamentary authority over succession.