The British Empire was the world's first global power and the largest empire in history. It was a product of the European Age of Discovery that began with the global maritime empires of Portugal and Spain in the late 15th century. By 1921 the British Empire held sway over a population of about 470–570 million people—roughly a quarter of the world's population—and covered about 14.3 million square miles (more than 37 million km²), almost a third of the world's total land area. Though it has since almost completely disappeared, t ...

Including:

• British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires
• British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom
• British Empire - Growth of the overseas empire
• British Empire - Henry VIII and the rise of the Royal Navy
• British Empire - The Elizabethan era
• British Empire - The Stuart era
• British Empire - Scottish Empire
• British Empire - Colonization
• British Empire - Free trade and informal empire
• British Empire - British East India Company
• British Empire - Expansion
• British Empire - Collapse
• British Empire - Breakdown of Pax Britannica
• British Empire - Britain and the New Imperialism
• British Empire - British Colonial Policy
• British Empire - Britain and the Scramble for Africa
• British Empire - Home Rule in white-settler colonies
• British Empire - The impact of the First World War
• British Empire - The end of British rule in Ireland
• British Empire - Decolonisation and Decline
• British Empire - Extent
• British Empire - Africa
• British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic
• British Empire - Antarctica
• British Empire - Asia
• British Empire - Europe
• British Empire - Pacific
• British Empire - Extent after World War II
• British Empire - Africa
• British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic
• British Empire - Asia
• British Empire - Europe
• British Empire - Territories Lost by British Empire before 1921
• British Empire - Remaining Overseas Territories
• British Empire - Overseas Territories possessing substantial self-government
• British Empire - Other Overseas Territories
• British Empire - Crown Dependencies in British Isles Outside UK & EU
• British Empire - Personal Unions
• British Empire - Kingdom of England 927 - 1707
• British Empire - Kingdom of Great Britain 1707 - 1801
• British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801 - 1927
• British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1927 - present

Read more here: » British Empire: Encyclopedia - British Empire

See also:

British Empire, British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires, British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom, British Empire - Growth of the overseas empire, British Empire - Henry VIII and the rise of the Royal Navy, British Empire - The Elizabethan era, British Empire - The Stuart era, British Empire - Scottish Empire, British Empire - Colonization, British Empire - Free trade and informal empire, British Empire - British East India Company, British Empire - Expansion, British Empire - Collapse, British Empire - Breakdown of Pax Britannica, British Empire - Britain and the New Imperialism, British Empire - British Colonial Policy, British Empire - Britain and the Scramble for Africa, British Empire - Home Rule in white-settler colonies, British Empire - The impact of the First World War, British Empire - The end of British rule in Ireland, British Empire - Decolonisation and Decline, British Empire - Extent, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Antarctica, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Pacific, British Empire - Extent after World War II, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Territories Lost by British Empire before 1921, British Empire - Remaining Overseas Territories, British Empire - Overseas Territories possessing substantial self-government, British Empire - Other Overseas Territories, British Empire - Crown Dependencies in British Isles Outside UK & EU, British Empire - Personal Unions, British Empire - Kingdom of England 927 - 1707, British Empire - Kingdom of Great Britain 1707 - 1801, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801 - 1927, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1927 - present

Read more here: » British Empire: Encyclopedia II - British Empire - Extent

In 1583 Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed the island of Newfoundland as England's for Elizabeth I, reinforcing John Cabot's prior claim to the island in 1497, for Henry VII, as England's first overseas colony. Gilbert's shipwreck prevented ensuing settlement in Newfoundland, other than the seasonal cod fishermen who had frequented the island since 1497. However, the Jamestown colonists, led by Captain John Smith, overcame the severe privations of the winter in 1607 to found England's first permanent overseas settlement. The empire thus took shape ...

See also:

British Empire, British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires, British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom, British Empire - Growth of the overseas empire, British Empire - Henry VIII and the rise of the Royal Navy, British Empire - The Elizabethan era, British Empire - The Stuart era, British Empire - Scottish Empire, British Empire - Colonization, British Empire - Free trade and informal empire, British Empire - British East India Company, British Empire - Expansion, British Empire - Collapse, British Empire - Breakdown of Pax Britannica, British Empire - Britain and the New Imperialism, British Empire - British Colonial Policy, British Empire - Britain and the Scramble for Africa, British Empire - Home Rule in white-settler colonies, British Empire - The impact of the First World War, British Empire - The end of British rule in Ireland, British Empire - Decolonisation and Decline, British Empire - Extent, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Antarctica, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Pacific, British Empire - Extent after World War II, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Territories Lost by British Empire before 1921, British Empire - Remaining Overseas Territories, British Empire - Overseas Territories possessing substantial self-government, British Empire - Other Overseas Territories, British Empire - Crown Dependencies in British Isles Outside UK & EU, British Empire - Personal Unions, British Empire - Kingdom of England 927 - 1707, British Empire - Kingdom of Great Britain 1707 - 1801, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801 - 1927, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1927 - present

Read more here: » British Empire: Encyclopedia II - British Empire - Colonization

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE) Commander (CBE) Officer (OBE) Member (MBE) Only the two highest ranks entail admission into knighthood. There is also a related British Empire Medal, whose recipients are not members of the Order, ...

Including:

• Order of the British Empire - History
• Order of the British Empire - Composition
• Order of the British Empire - Vestments and accoutrements
• Order of the British Empire - Chapel
• Order of the British Empire - Precedence and privileges

Read more here: » Order of the British Empire: Encyclopedia - Order of the British Empire

The British used North America as a Penal Colony through the system of indentured servants. Convicts would be transported by private sector merchants and auctioned off to plantation owners upon arrival in the colonies. It is estimated that some 50,000 British convicts were banished to colonial America, representing perhaps one-quarter of all British emigrants during the eighteenth century. When that avenue closed in the 1780s after the American Revolution, Britain began using parts of modern day Australia as Penal Colonies. Some of th ...

See also:

Penal colony, Penal colony - British Empire, Penal colony - Elsewhere, Penal colony - Fiction, Penal colony - Sources and References

Read more here: » Penal colony: Encyclopedia II - Penal colony - British Empire

British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom. In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy,(also known as Bastard because he was the products of a affair his father had with a tanners daughter), conquered England and asserted his right to be king, giving England its first overseas territory (Normandy). The new rulers had dual roles. First, as kings of England they were sovereign lords. Second, as dukes of Normandy, they were vassals of the kings of France. This led to centuries of conflicts which ended with their loss of French holdings in 1558. In the mea ...

See also:

British Empire, British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires, British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom, British Empire - Growth of the overseas empire, British Empire - Henry VIII and the rise of the Royal Navy, British Empire - The Elizabethan era, British Empire - The Stuart era, British Empire - Scottish Empire, British Empire - Colonization, British Empire - Free trade and informal empire, British Empire - British East India Company, British Empire - Expansion, British Empire - Collapse, British Empire - Breakdown of Pax Britannica, British Empire - Britain and the New Imperialism, British Empire - British Colonial Policy, British Empire - Britain and the Scramble for Africa, British Empire - Home Rule in white-settler colonies, British Empire - The impact of the First World War, British Empire - The end of British rule in Ireland, British Empire - Decolonisation and Decline, British Empire - Extent, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Antarctica, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Pacific, British Empire - Extent after World War II, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Territories Lost by British Empire before 1921, British Empire - Remaining Overseas Territories, British Empire - Overseas Territories possessing substantial self-government, British Empire - Other Overseas Territories, British Empire - Crown Dependencies in British Isles Outside UK & EU, British Empire - Personal Unions, British Empire - Kingdom of England 927 - 1707, British Empire - Kingdom of Great Britain 1707 - 1801, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801 - 1927, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1927 - present

Read more here: » British Empire: Encyclopedia II - British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires

British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom. In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, (also known as William the Bastard because he was the product of an affair his father had with a tanner's daughter), conquered England and asserted his right to be king, giving England its first overseas territory (Normandy). The new rulers had dual roles. First, as kings of England they were sovereign lords. Second, as dukes of Normandy, they were vassals of the kings of France. This led to centuries of conflicts which ended with their loss of French holdings in 1558. In the mea ...

See also:

British Empire, British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires, British Empire - The Anglo-Norman Kingdom, British Empire - Growth of the overseas empire, British Empire - Henry VIII and the rise of the Royal Navy, British Empire - The Elizabethan era, British Empire - The Stuart era, British Empire - Scottish Empire, British Empire - Colonization, British Empire - Free trade and informal empire, British Empire - British East India Company, British Empire - Expansion, British Empire - Collapse, British Empire - Breakdown of Pax Britannica, British Empire - Britain and the New Imperialism, British Empire - British Colonial Policy, British Empire - Britain and the Scramble for Africa, British Empire - Home Rule in white-settler colonies, British Empire - The impact of the First World War, British Empire - The end of British rule in Ireland, British Empire - Decolonisation and Decline, British Empire - Extent, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Antarctica, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Pacific, British Empire - Extent after World War II, British Empire - Africa, British Empire - The Americas and Atlantic, British Empire - Asia, British Empire - Europe, British Empire - Territories Lost by British Empire before 1921, British Empire - Remaining Overseas Territories, British Empire - Overseas Territories possessing substantial self-government, British Empire - Other Overseas Territories, British Empire - Crown Dependencies in British Isles Outside UK & EU, British Empire - Personal Unions, British Empire - Kingdom of England 927 - 1707, British Empire - Kingdom of Great Britain 1707 - 1801, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801 - 1927, British Empire - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1927 - present

Read more here: » British Empire: Encyclopedia II - British Empire - Background: The English and Scottish Empires

The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. In contrast to the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force, the British Army does not include "royal" in its title, because of its roots as a collection of disparate units, many of which themselves do bear the "royal" prefix. The British Army has taken part in campaigns throughout the world, and has a long and distinguished history in warfare. Today the Army is one of the most technologically advanced land forces in the world, and is deployed in many o ...

Including:

• British Army - History
• British Army - Foundation
• British Army - Bill of Rights
• British Army - British Empire
• British Army - European wars
• British Army - World Wars
• British Army - 1945-1990
• British Army - 1990-present
• British Army - The Army today
• British Army - Statistics
• British Army - Current deployments
• British Army - Equipment
• British Army - Firearms
• British Army - Armour
• British Army - Logistics
• British Army - Artillery
• British Army - Aircraft
• British Army - Landing Craft
• British Army - Formation and structure
• British Army - Battlegroups
• British Army - Recruitment
• British Army - Oath of Allegiance
• British Army - Flags and ensigns
• British Army - Ranks and insignia

Read more here: » British Army: Encyclopedia - British Army

Flag of the Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as The Commonwealth, is an association of independent sovereign states, almost all of which are former territories of the British Empire. It was once known as the British Commonwealth of Nations or British Commonwealth, and some still call it by that name, either for historical reasons or to distinguish it from the other commonwealths around the world, such as the ...

Including:

• Commonwealth of Nations - Origins
• Commonwealth of Nations - Membership
• Commonwealth of Nations - Non-members
• Commonwealth of Nations - Suspension
• Commonwealth of Nations - Termination of membership
• Commonwealth of Nations - Organisation and objectives
• Commonwealth of Nations - Benefits of membership and contemporary concerns
• Commonwealth of Nations - Cultural Links
• Commonwealth of Nations - Literature
• Commonwealth of Nations - Commonwealth Business Council
• Commonwealth of Nations - List of Commonwealth members

Read more here: » Commonwealth of Nations: Encyclopedia - Commonwealth of Nations

A Penal Colony is a colony used to detain prisoners and generally use them for penal labor in an economically underdeveloped part of the state's (usually colonial) territories, and on a far larger scale than the prison farm. The prison regime was always harsh, often including severe physical punishment, so even if not sentenced for the rest of their natural lives, many died from hunger, disease, medical neglect and excessive efforts, or during an escape attempt. The British Empire's use ...

Including:

• Penal colony - British Empire
• Penal colony - Elsewhere
• Penal colony - Fiction
• Penal colony - Sources and References

Read more here: » Penal colony: Encyclopedia - Penal colony

The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event held every four years involving the elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. The first such event, then known as the British Empire Games, was held in 1930. The name changed to British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970 and assumed the current name of the Commonwealth Games in 1978. As well as many Olympic sports, the Games also include some sports that are played mainly in Commonwealth ...

Including:

• Commonwealth Games - Origins
• Commonwealth Games - Opening Ceremony Traditions
• Commonwealth Games - Boycotts
• Commonwealth Games - Editions
• Commonwealth Games - British Empire Games
• Commonwealth Games - British Empire and Commonwealth Games
• Commonwealth Games - British Commonwealth Games
• Commonwealth Games - Commonwealth Games
• Commonwealth Games - 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid Cities
• Commonwealth Games - List of Sports at the Commonwealth Games
• Commonwealth Games - 2006 Commonwealth Games
• Commonwealth Games - Events on hiatus

Read more here: » Commonwealth Games: Encyclopedia - Commonwealth Games

The British Mandate of Palestine was a territory in the Middle East including the modern territories of Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip, formerly belonging to the Ottoman Empire, which the League of Nations entrusted to the United Kingdom to administer in the aftermath of World War I as a Mandate Territory. British Mandate of Palestine - Establishment of British League of Nations mandate. British interest in Zionism dates to the rise in importance of the British Empire's South Asian enterpr ...

Including:

• British Mandate of Palestine - Establishment of British League of Nations mandate
• British Mandate of Palestine - Palestinian Arab opposition to Jewish immigration
• British Mandate of Palestine - Great Uprising
• British Mandate of Palestine - World War II and the Nazi Holocaust
• British Mandate of Palestine - Division of Palestine by United Nations
• British Mandate of Palestine - Population of the British Mandate of Palestine
• British Mandate of Palestine - British High Commissioners for Palestine
• British Mandate of Palestine - For further reading
• British Mandate of Palestine - Notes

Read more here: » British Mandate of Palestine: Encyclopedia - British Mandate of Palestine

Abolitionism was a political movement that sought to abolish the practice of slavery and the worldwide slave trade. It began during the period of the Enlightenment and grew to large proportions in several nations during the 19th century, largely succeeding in its goals. Abolitionism - National abolition movements. Abolitionism - United Kingdom and British Empire. See also Abolition of the Atlantic slave trade. Although slavery was never widely practised within Engl ...

Including:

• Abolitionism - National abolition movements
• Abolitionism - United Kingdom and British Empire
• Abolitionism - France
• Abolitionism - Russia
• Abolitionism - United States
• Abolitionism - National abolition dates
• Abolitionism - Modern day abolition
• Abolitionism - Commemoration of the abolition of slavery
• Abolitionism - Notable abolitionists
• Abolitionism - Modern usage

Read more here: » Abolitionism: Encyclopedia - Abolitionism

The term "coolie" refers to unskilled laborers from Asia in the 1800s to early 1900s who were sent to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, North Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. The term usually referred to Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Korean laborers and was often used in a derogatory way. Coolie - Origin and general usage. The word may derive from the Chinese word 苦力 kǔ lì which literally means "bitterly hard (use of) strength". However, Webster's New World Dictionary o ...

Including:

• Coolie - Origin and general usage
• Coolie - Regional usage
• Coolie - British Empire
• Coolie - The Americas

Read more here: » Coolie: Encyclopedia - Coolie

This article is on the gubernatorial title. For the butterfly, see viceroy butterfly. For the cigarettes, see Viceroy cigarettes. A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province as a substitute for the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and French roi, meaning king. A vicereine is a woman in a viceregal position (rare, as it usually include ...

Including:

• Viceroy - Under the monarchs of Spain
• Viceroy - British Empire and Commonwealth
• Viceroy - Other colonial viceroyalties
• Viceroy - Other Viceroys in personal union
• Viceroy - Exotic counterparts
• Viceroy - China
• Viceroy - Informal use
• Viceroy - Sources and references

Read more here: » Viceroy: Encyclopedia - Viceroy

Evolution of the British Empire - Legend. Evolution of the British Empire - Africa. Evolution of the British Empire - North America. (north of Mexico) Evolution of the British Empire - Central America and the Caribbean. Evolution of the British Empire - South America. (continental South America) Evolution of the British Empire - Antarctic Region. (territories south of 60°00') Evol ...

See also:

Evolution of the British Empire, Evolution of the British Empire - Legacy, Evolution of the British Empire - List, Evolution of the British Empire - Legend, Evolution of the British Empire - Africa, Evolution of the British Empire - North America, Evolution of the British Empire - Central America and the Caribbean, Evolution of the British Empire - South America, Evolution of the British Empire - Antarctic Region, Evolution of the British Empire - Asia, Evolution of the British Empire - Atlantic, Evolution of the British Empire - Europe, Evolution of the British Empire - Indian Ocean, Evolution of the British Empire - Oceania and the Pacific, Evolution of the British Empire - Treaties and Acts

Read more here: » Evolution of the British Empire: Encyclopedia II - Evolution of the British Empire - List

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland England; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Wales 3 Crown Dependencies Guernsey; Jersey; Isle of Man 14 Overseas Territories Anguilla; Bermuda; British Antarctic Territory; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; St. Helena; South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands ...

See also:

Evolution of the British Empire, Evolution of the British Empire - Legacy, Evolution of the British Empire - List, Evolution of the British Empire - Legend, Evolution of the British Empire - Africa, Evolution of the British Empire - North America, Evolution of the British Empire - Central America and the Caribbean, Evolution of the British Empire - South America, Evolution of the British Empire - Antarctic Region, Evolution of the British Empire - Asia, Evolution of the British Empire - Atlantic, Evolution of the British Empire - Europe, Evolution of the British Empire - Indian Ocean, Evolution of the British Empire - Oceania and the Pacific, Evolution of the British Empire - Treaties and Acts

Read more here: » Evolution of the British Empire: Encyclopedia II - Evolution of the British Empire - Legacy

The British Sovereign is the Sovereign of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order (by convention, on the advice of the Government). The next-most senior member is the Grand Master. The current Grand Master is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Order is limited to 100 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8960 Commanders. There are no limits on the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 Officers and 1464 Members may be appointed per year. Appointments are ma ...

See also:

Order of the British Empire, Order of the British Empire - History, Order of the British Empire - Composition, Order of the British Empire - Vestments and accoutrements, Order of the British Empire - Chapel, Order of the British Empire - Precedence and privileges

Read more here: » Order of the British Empire: Encyclopedia II - Order of the British Empire - Composition

The British Sovereign is the Sovereign of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order (by convention, on the advice of the Government). The next-most senior member is the Grand Master, of which there have been three: Edward, Prince of Wales (1917–1936), Queen Mary (1936–1953) and the current Grand Master is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (1953–present). The Order is limited to 100 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8960 Commanders. There are no limits on the total number of members of the fo ...

See also:

Order of the British Empire, Order of the British Empire - History, Order of the British Empire - Composition, Order of the British Empire - Vestments and accoutrements, Order of the British Empire - Chapel, Order of the British Empire - Precedence and privileges

Read more here: » Order of the British Empire: Encyclopedia II - Order of the British Empire - Composition

In the British Empire a governor was originally an official appointed by the British monarch to oversee one of his colonies. Generally of the gubernatorial offices established under the British, the structure comprised three levels:— Governor-General (formerly in charge of a group of colonies, and now also with largely ceremonial functions in relation to independent, sovereign Commonwealth Realms); Governor (in charge of a colony); and Lieutenant-Governor (in charge of a sub-colonial unit, usually styled a "province"). (Note: colony in this sense means ...

See also:

Governor, Governor - Etymology, Governor - Pre-Roman empires, Governor - Egypt, Governor - Mesopotamia and beyond, Governor - Pre- & hellenistic satraps, Governor - Roman empires and legacy, Governor - In ancient Rome, Governor - Byzantium, Governor - Legacy, Governor - Holy Roman/ Habsburg Empires and successor states, Governor - Turkish rule, Governor - British Empire and Commonwealth, Governor - Colonial style, Governor - New style, Governor - Russia and former Soviet Union, Governor - Other Colonial empires, Governor - Other modern Asian countries, Governor - People's Republic of China, Governor - Philippines, Governor - Other modern countries in the Americas, Governor - United States, Governor - Mexico, Governor - Brazil, Governor - South America, Governor - Other European countries and empires, Governor - Benelux monarchies, Governor - France & Napoleon, Governor - Italy, Governor - Papal & Vatican particularity, Governor - Scandinavia, Governor - Other modern African countries, Governor - Modern equivalents, Governor - Furthermore the word has other meanings

Read more here: » Governor: Encyclopedia II - Governor - British Empire and Commonwealth