Act of Union 1603

The Act of Union 1603 was an important political development that united the crowns of England and Scotland. When Queen Elizabeth I of England died without an heir, King James VI of Scotland became James I of England, marking the start of the Stuart dynasty. This act brought both countries under a single monarch, though they remained separate kingdoms with their own parliaments and laws. The union established a closer relationship between England and Scotland, influencing politics, culture, and trade, and laid the groundwork for future unifications, ultimately leading to the formal Act of Union in 1707.