Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was a state (927-1707) located in western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally succeeded by the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Kingdom of England was located in the southern part of the island of Great Britain in the region known today as England, and joined under law as the modern legal entity of England and Wales.
The chief royal residence was originally located at Winchester, in Hampshire, but London and Gloucester were accorded almost equal status—especially London, which had become the de facto capital by the beginning of the 12th century. London served as the capital of the kingdom until its merger with the Kingdom of Scotland in 1707 (see Acts of Union 1707) and continues to remain the chief city of England. The city has also served as the capital of both the Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1801) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1922). Today it remains the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the "United Kingdom").
The present monarch of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, is the modern successor to the Kings and Queens of England. The title of Queen (and King) of England has been legally incorrect since 1707, although it is still in common use. Elizabeth can trace her descent from the Kings of Wessex from the 1st millennium.