Kingdom of England: Map & History
Kingdom of England is mapped in the atlas for 936 CE – 1708 CE, with a peak mapped extent of about 569,446 km².
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Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Kingdom of England was a sovereign state on the island of Great Britain from 927, when all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were united under the rule of Æthelstan, until 1 May 1707, when it relinquished its sovereignty along with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain, which would later become the United Kingdom. The Kingdom of England was among the most powerful states in Europe during the medieval and early modern periods.
Modern Countries Once Part of Kingdom of England
At its mapped extent, Kingdom of England covered territory in 11 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Ireland1177–1708 CE · nearly all
- Belize1670–1708 CE · nearly all
- Bermuda1609–1708 CE · nearly all
- United States Virgin Islands1626–1705 CE · nearly all
- United Kingdom936–1708 CE · most
- Jamaica1659–1708 CE · most
- Suriname1653–1669 CE · a large part
- Bahamas1673–1708 CE · a large part
- France1066–1458 CE · a large part
- United States1622–1708 CE · a small part
- India1662–1708 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Kingdom of England's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Kingdom of England in Depth
History
The Kingdom of England emerged from the gradual unification of the early medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdoms known as the Heptarchy: East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria, Kent, Essex, Sussex, and Wessex. The Viking invasions of the 9th century upset the balance of power between the English kingdoms, and native Anglo-Saxon life in general. The English lands were unified in the 10th century in a reconquest completed by 927.
During the Heptarchy, the most powerful king among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms might become acknowledged as Bretwalda, a high king over the other kings. The decline of Mercia allowed Wessex to become more powerful, absorbing the kingdoms of Kent and Sussex in 825. The kings of Wessex increasingly dominated the other kingdoms of England during the 9th century.
Government
The counties of England were established for administration by the Normans, in most cases based on earlier shires established by the Anglo-Saxons. They ceased to be used for administration only with the creation of the administrative counties in 1889.
Unlike the partly self-governing boroughs that covered urban areas, the counties of medieval England existed primarily as a means of enforcing central government power, enabling monarchs to exercise control over local areas through their chosen representatives – originally sheriffs and later the lord-lieutenants – and their subordinate justices of the peace.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kingdom of England (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Kingdom of England: Key Facts
| Capitals | London, Westminster, City of London |
|---|---|
| Official language | English |
| Religions | Catholic Church, Church of England |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Currency | pound sterling |
| Founded | 927 CE |
| Dissolved | 30 April 1707 |
Preceded by
- Kingdom of Wessex
- Principality of Wales
- Prydain
- Heptarchy
- Commonwealth of England
- Lordship of Brecknock
Succeeded by
- Kingdom of Great Britain
- Commonwealth of England
Facts from Wikidata Q179876 (CC0).
Kingdom of England Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Kingdom of England appears, with the other states of the time.
Kingdom of England Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 569,446 km² in 1704 CE.
Kingdom of England: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Kingdom of England exist?
The Kingdom of England is dated to 936 CE – 1708 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Kingdom of England?
The capital of the Kingdom of England was ubl.
How large was the Kingdom of England at its peak?
At its peak in 1704 the Kingdom of England covered about 569,446 km².
How did the map of the Kingdom of England change over time?
The Kingdom of England appears on 8 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1000 CE to 1700 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Constantinople
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi