Palace of Westminster

Main article: Privy Purse Parliament meets much of the Sovereign's official expenditure from public funds. The Civil List is the sum that covers most expenses, including those for staffing, state visits, public engagements, and official entertainment. The size of the Civil List is fixed by Parliament every ten years; however, any money saved may be carried forward to the next ten year period. Thus, the Sovereign's Civil List expenditure in 2003 was approximately £9.9 million. In addition, the Sovereign receives an annual Prope ...

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British monarchy, British monarchy - History, British monarchy - English monarchy, British monarchy - Scottish monarchy, British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns, British monarchy - Succession, British monarchy - Regency, British monarchy - Political role, British monarchy - Royal Prerogative, British monarchy - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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The Sovereign's primary official residence is Buckingham Palace in the City of Westminster. Buckingham Palace is the site of most state banquets, investitures, royal christenings, and other ceremonies. Moreover, visiting heads of state usually reside in Buckingham Palace. Another principal residence is Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor Castle, located in Windsor, Berkshire, is used principally as a weekend retreat; the monarch also resides there during the Royal Ascot, an annual race meeting that forms a major ...

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British monarchy, British monarchy - History, British monarchy - English monarchy, British monarchy - Scottish monarchy, British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns, British monarchy - Succession, British monarchy - Regency, British monarchy - Political role, British monarchy - Royal Prerogative, British monarchy - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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Main article: Style and Title The present Sovereign's full style and title is:Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. The title Head of the Commonwealth is held by the Queen personally, and is not vested in the British Crown. (However, her father, George VI, was also recognised as such.) Pope Leo X first granted the title Defender of the FaithSee also:

British monarchy, British monarchy - History, British monarchy - English monarchy, British monarchy - Scottish monarchy, British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns, British monarchy - Succession, British monarchy - Regency, British monarchy - Political role, British monarchy - Royal Prerogative, British monarchy - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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London - Places of interest. See also: Category:Visitor attractions in London Buckingham Palace Camden Town Chinatown Covent Garden Downing Street Horse Guards Parade Leicester Square The London Dungeon London Aquarium London Eye London Planetarium London Zoo Madame Tussaud's Piccadilly Circus South Bank Theatreland Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square See also:

London, London - Defining London, London - Geography and climate, London - History, London - Modern London, London - Culture, London - London Districts, London - Central London, London - City of London, London - The West End, London - East London, London - The East End, London - Docklands, London - West London, London - North London, London - South London, London - Demographics, London - Government, London - Business and economy, London - Transport and infrastructure, London - Education, London - Media, London - Technology, London - Style and fashion, London - Religion, London - Sport, London - Tourist attractions, London - Places of interest, London - List of hotels in London, London - Buildings and monuments, London - Museums and galleries, London - Markets and shopping areas, London - Parks and gardens, London - Other places of interest, London - London in the arts, London - Literature featuring London, London - Films featuring London, London - Television programmes featuring London, London - Songs featuring London, London - Video Games featuring London, London - Major exhibitions staged in London, London - Parades

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Prior to the evolution of some former colonies and Dominions of the British Empire into nations autonomous and independent from the United Kingdom, the British Crown operated over each territory as a singular body. However, as a result of the Balfour Declaration stating that the Dominions were "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs" the Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act 1927 was passed, causing the King of the United Kingdom ...

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British monarchy, British monarchy - History, British monarchy - English monarchy, British monarchy - Scottish monarchy, British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns, British monarchy - Succession, British monarchy - Regency, British monarchy - Political role, British monarchy - Royal Prerogative, British monarchy - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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London - Literature featuring London. Main article: London in fiction London has been the setting for many works of literature. The two writers who are perhaps most closely associated with the city are the diarist Samuel Pepys, famous among other things for his eyewitness account of the Great Fire, and Charles Dickens, whose representation of a foggy, snowy, grimy London of street sweepers and pickpockets is a major influence ...

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London, London - Defining London, London - Geography and climate, London - History, London - Modern London, London - Culture, London - London Districts, London - Central London, London - City of London, London - The West End, London - East London, London - The East End, London - Docklands, London - West London, London - North London, London - South London, London - Demographics, London - Government, London - Business and economy, London - Transport and infrastructure, London - Education, London - Media, London - Technology, London - Style and fashion, London - Religion, London - Sport, London - Tourist attractions, London - Places of interest, London - List of hotels in London, London - Buildings and monuments, London - Museums and galleries, London - Markets and shopping areas, London - Parks and gardens, London - Other places of interest, London - London in the arts, London - Literature featuring London, London - Films featuring London, London - Television programmes featuring London, London - Songs featuring London, London - Video Games featuring London, London - Major exhibitions staged in London, London - Parades

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Main article: Arms of Dominion The coat of arms used by the Sovereign, known as the Arms of Dominion, are: Quarterly, I and IV Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or (for England); II Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory Gules (for Scotland); III Azure a harp Or stringed Argent (for Ireland). The supporters are the lion and the unicorn; the motto is Dieu et mon Droit (French for "God and my Right"). Ireland is represented even though most of the island is not a part of the United Kingdom, but instead forms the Republic of Irel ...

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British monarchy, British monarchy - History, British monarchy - English monarchy, British monarchy - Scottish monarchy, British monarchy - Since the Union of the Crowns, British monarchy - Succession, British monarchy - Regency, British monarchy - Political role, British monarchy - Royal Prerogative, British monarchy - Empire/Commonwealth role, British monarchy - Finances, British monarchy - Residences, British monarchy - Style, British monarchy - Arms of Dominion

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When Pope Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine to bring England into the Catholic fold in 597, it was intended that the envoy should become "Archbishop of London", as the city was remembered as the capital of Roman Britain. In the event, the saint received his most hospitable reception in the Kingdom of Kent, and the archiepiscopal see was founded at Canterbury. Nonetheless London has been at the centre of England's religious life for much of its history, and each Archbishop of Canterbury has traditionally spent much of his time in London, w ...

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London, London - Defining London, London - Geography and climate, London - History, London - Modern London, London - Culture, London - London Districts, London - Central London, London - City of London, London - The West End, London - East London, London - The East End, London - Docklands, London - West London, London - North London, London - South London, London - Demographics, London - Government, London - Business and economy, London - Transport and infrastructure, London - Education, London - Media, London - Technology, London - Style and fashion, London - Religion, London - Sport, London - Tourist attractions, London - Places of interest, London - List of hotels in London, London - Buildings and monuments, London - Museums and galleries, London - Markets and shopping areas, London - Parks and gardens, London - Other places of interest, London - London in the arts, London - Literature featuring London, London - Films featuring London, London - Television programmes featuring London, London - Songs featuring London, London - Video Games featuring London, London - Major exhibitions staged in London, London - Parades

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Important features of the Westminster system include: an executive branch usually made up of members of the legislature with the senior members of the executive in a Cabinet; the presence of opposition parties; an elected legislature, or a system in which one of two houses is elected and the other appointed; a ceremonial head of state, who is different from the head of government, and who may possess reserve powers that are not normally exercised. the ability of the lower house of parliament t ...

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Westminster system, Westminster system - Key characteristics, Westminster system - Operation, Westminster system - Cabinet government, Westminster system - Consequences, Westminster system - Ceremonies, Westminster system - Some countries under the Westminster system, Westminster system - Notes, Westminster system - Bibliography, Westminster system - External link

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After the French Revolution began in 1789, the Pitt administration attempted to delay intervention in European conflicts for as long as possible. The aggression of the French revolutionary Government, however, did not permit Great Britain to remain neutral. Especially alarming to the British were decrees issued by the French in 1792, vowing to aid any attempts other Europeans may undertake to overthrow their own monarchies. On 1 February 1793, the French, believing that they could precipitate a British Revolution, declared war on Great Brita ...

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William Pitt the Younger, William Pitt the Younger - Early life, William Pitt the Younger - Early political career, William Pitt the Younger - Rise to power, William Pitt the Younger - First Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - French Revolution, William Pitt the Younger - Resignation, William Pitt the Younger - Second Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - Legacy, William Pitt the Younger - Quotations

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In Commonwealth Realms besides the UK, the Royal Assent is granted or withheld by the Governor-General, the representative of the Sovereign. Similarly, in these Realms' states, provinces or territories, Assent is granted or withheld by the Governor or Lieutenant Governor. In Crown colonies the Governor or Lieutenant Governor grants the Royal Assent. The Sovereign's representative may reserve a bill for the Sovereign's pleasure, that is to say, allow the Sovereign to make a personal decision on the bill. A Governor or Lieutenant Govern ...

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Royal Assent, Royal Assent - United Kingdom, Royal Assent - Historical development, Royal Assent - Ceremony, Royal Assent - Scotland, Royal Assent - Commonwealth, Royal Assent - Historical development, Royal Assent - Ceremony, Royal Assent - Other countries

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The French Revolution revived religious and political problems in Ireland, a realm under the rule of the King of Great Britain. In 1798, Irish nationalists even attempted a rebellion, believing that the French would help them overthrow the monarchy. Pitt firmly believed that the only solution to the problem was a union of Great Britain and Ireland. The union was established by the Act of Union 1800; compensation and patronage ensured the support of the Irish Parliament. Great Britain and Ireland were formally united into a single realm, the United ...

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William Pitt the Younger, William Pitt the Younger - Early life, William Pitt the Younger - Early political career, William Pitt the Younger - Rise to power, William Pitt the Younger - First Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - French Revolution, William Pitt the Younger - Resignation, William Pitt the Younger - Second Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - Legacy, William Pitt the Younger - Quotations

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His administration secure, Pitt could begin to enact his agenda. His first major piece of legislation was the India Act 1784, which re-organised the British East India Company. The India Act created a new Board of Control to oversee the affairs of the East India Company. The Act also centralised British rule in India by reducing the power of the Governors of Bombay and Madras and by increasing that of the Governor-General. Further augmentat ...

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William Pitt the Younger, William Pitt the Younger - Early life, William Pitt the Younger - Early political career, William Pitt the Younger - Rise to power, William Pitt the Younger - First Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - French Revolution, William Pitt the Younger - Resignation, William Pitt the Younger - Second Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - Legacy, William Pitt the Younger - Quotations

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During the general elections of September 1780, Pitt contested the University of Cambridge seat, but lost. Still intent to enter Parliament, Pitt, with the help of his university comrade, Charles Manners, 4th Duke of Rutland, secured the patronage of Sir James Lowther. Lowther effectively controlled the pocket borough of Appleby; a by-election in that constituency sent Pitt to the House of Commons in January 1781. Pitt's entry into parliament is somewhat ironic; Pitt later rall ...

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William Pitt the Younger, William Pitt the Younger - Early life, William Pitt the Younger - Early political career, William Pitt the Younger - Rise to power, William Pitt the Younger - First Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - French Revolution, William Pitt the Younger - Resignation, William Pitt the Younger - Second Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - Legacy, William Pitt the Younger - Quotations

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For more deaths, see: Deaths in 2004 2004 - January. January 2 - Lynn Cartwright, American actress (b. 1927) January 4 - Joan Aiken, English author (b. 1924) January 6 - Tug McGraw, Baseball player (b. 1944) January 6 - Pierre Charles, Prime Minister of Dominica (b. 1954) January 11 - Mairtín Crawford, Northern Irish poet (b. 1967) January 12 - Randy Van Warmer, Singer and songwriter (b. 1955) January 14 - Uta Hagen, German Actress (b. 191 ...

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2004, 2004 - Events, 2004 - January, 2004 - February, 2004 - March, 2004 - April, 2004 - May, 2004 - June, 2004 - July, 2004 - August, 2004 - September, 2004 - October, 2004 - November, 2004 - December, 2004 - Births, 2004 - Deaths, 2004 - January, 2004 - February, 2004 - March, 2004 - April, 2004 - May, 2004 - June, 2004 - July, 2004 - August, 2004 - September, 2004 - October, 2004 - November, 2004 - December, 2004 - Nobel Prizes

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1260s - Science literature and industry. 1260 - Jacobus de Voragine compiles his work, the Golden Legend, a late medieval best-seller. 1265 - The Book of Aneirin, a Welsh manuscript of poetry, is penned. 1265 - The brewing of Budweiser Budvar beer begins in Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic); Budweiser Budvar has been produced continuously there to this day. 1266 - In France, the gold écu and silver grosh coins are minted for the first time. 1267 - Roger Bac ...

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1260s, 1260s - War and politics, 1260s - Europe, 1260s - Asia and Africa, 1260s - Culture, 1260s - Science literature and industry, 1260s - Art architecture and music, 1260s - Cities and institutions, 1260s - Religion, 1260s - Births, 1260s - Deaths

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William Pitt the Younger, the son of William Pitt the Elder (afterwards Earl of Chatham) and the Lady Hester Pitt, was born in Hayes, Kent. Pitt the Younger's father was an important British statesman, as was his maternal uncle, George Grenville. Pitt the Younger was the second son and fourth child out of five; his elder brother, John Pitt, also had a political career. William Pitt the Younger, sickly as a boy, was educated at home by the Reverend Edward Wilson. An intelligent child, Pitt quickly became proficient in Latin and Greek. ...

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William Pitt the Younger, William Pitt the Younger - Early life, William Pitt the Younger - Early political career, William Pitt the Younger - Rise to power, William Pitt the Younger - First Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - French Revolution, William Pitt the Younger - Resignation, William Pitt the Younger - Second Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - Legacy, William Pitt the Younger - Quotations

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Pitt returned to the premiership on 10 May 1804. He had originally planned to form a broad coalition government, but faced the opposition of George III to the inclusion of Fox. Moreover, many of Pitt's former supporters, including the allies of Henry Addington, joined the Opposition. Thus, Pitt's Second Ministry was considerably weaker than the first. The British Government suffered under the unrelenting pressure of the French Emperor, Napoleon I. Thanks to Pitt's efforts, Great Britain joined the Third Coalition, an alliance that als ...

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William Pitt the Younger, William Pitt the Younger - Early life, William Pitt the Younger - Early political career, William Pitt the Younger - Rise to power, William Pitt the Younger - First Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - French Revolution, William Pitt the Younger - Resignation, William Pitt the Younger - Second Ministry, William Pitt the Younger - Legacy, William Pitt the Younger - Quotations

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Sheffield - National and international travel. Sheffield is linked into the national motorway network via the M1 and M18 motorways. The M1 skirts the north-east of the city, linking Sheffield with London to the south and Leeds to the north; the M18 branches from the M1 close to Sheffield, linking the city with Doncaster, Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the Humber ports. The Sheffield Parkway conne ...

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Sheffield, Sheffield - Geography, Sheffield - People, Sheffield - Districts, Sheffield - History, Sheffield - Industry and economy, Sheffield - Government and politics, Sheffield - International Links, Sheffield - Sport, Sheffield - Culture and attractions, Sheffield - Music, Sheffield - Attractions, Sheffield - Media and film, Sheffield - Education, Sheffield - Transport, Sheffield - National and international travel, Sheffield - Local travel, Sheffield - References and notes

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The area that is now the City of Sheffield has been occupied since at least the last ice age,[11] but the settlements that grew to form Sheffield date from the second half of the 1st millennium, and are of Anglo-Saxon and Danish origin.[12] In Anglo-Saxon times the Sheffield area straddled the border between the kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria. The Anglo Saxon Chronicle reports that King Eanred of Northumbria submitted to King Egbert of Wessex at the ...

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Sheffield, Sheffield - Geography, Sheffield - People, Sheffield - Districts, Sheffield - History, Sheffield - Industry and economy, Sheffield - Government and politics, Sheffield - International Links, Sheffield - Sport, Sheffield - Culture and attractions, Sheffield - Music, Sheffield - Attractions, Sheffield - Media and film, Sheffield - Education, Sheffield - Transport, Sheffield - National and international travel, Sheffield - Local travel, Sheffield - References and notes

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Under the leadership of Lord Chancellor Thomas Wolsey and Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer (1515-1529), the Court of Star Chamber became a political weapon for bringing actions against opponents to the policies of Henry VIII, his ministers and his parliament. Although the court was initially a court of appeal, Henry VIII and his councillors Wolsey and Cranmer encouraged plaintiffs to bring their cases directly ...

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Star Chamber, Star Chamber - Under the Tudors, Star Chamber - Under the Lord Chancellor, Star Chamber - Under James I and Charles I, Star Chamber - Abolition and aftermath

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Famous islands in the Thames include: Isle of Sheppey Canvey Island Isle of Grain Eel Pie Island, Twickenham Magna Carta Island, Runnymede Fry's Island, Reading (sometimes known as De Montfort Island) See Islands in the River Thames for a full list of all islands. ...

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River Thames, River Thames - Name origin, River Thames - Course, River Thames - Catchment area and discharge, River Thames - History, River Thames - Literature, River Thames - Sport, River Thames - Navigation, River Thames - Crossings, River Thames - Islands, River Thames - Religion, River Thames - Notes

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