Ain And Ireland

The official title of the kingdom composed of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and including the colonies and possessions beyond the seas. At the time of the union between England and Scotland, in 1707, Great Britain became the official name of the kingdom, and continued to be such until the union with Ireland, in 1801. In the act of union of January 1, 1801, the above title is made the official name of the kingdom. The government is a hereditary constitutional monarchy, and the sovereign, with a ministry responsible to parliament, constitutes the executive. The legislative power is vested in a parliament composed of a house of lords and a house of commons. The highest appellate judicial power is vested in the house of lords. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has appellate jurisdiction in cases arising in India and the colonies and possessions. See Courts of England; Courts of Scotland; Courts of Ireland. The title of the king is: By the Grace of minions beyond the Seas, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India.