When Charles II died in 1685 and his brother, James, who was a Roman Catholic, became King James Il in England, Wales and Ireland and King James VII of Scotland. James favoured Roman Catholics and allowed them to be army officers, which an Act of Parliament had forbidden. He did not seek to reach agreements with Parliament and arrested some of the bishops of the Church of England.

The inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee (1955-), is British. Information was successfully transferred via the web for the first time on 25 December 1990.

Some of the principles included in the European Convention on Human Rights are right to life, prohibition of torture, prohibition of slavery and forced labour, right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the freedom of expression (speech).

In the 17th century, Sir Christopher Wren helped develop a British version of the ornate styles popular in Europe in buildings such as the new St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Prime Minister (PM) is the leader of the political party in power. He or she appoints the members of the cabinet and has control over many important public appointments.

The television was developed by Scotsman John Logie Baird (1888-1946) in the 1920s. In 1932 he made the first television broadcast between London and Glasgow.

The countries that make up the UK all have flowers which are particularly associated with them and which are sometimes worn on national saints’ days. In England, it is the rose.

If you are arrested and taken to a police station, a police officer will tell you the reason for your arrest and you will be able to seek legal advice.

The monarch has the right to select the Archbishop and other senior church officials, but usually the choice is made by the Prime Minister and a committee appointed by the Church.

George I (who was German) did not speak very good English and this increased his need to rely on his ministers. The most important minister in Parliament became known as the Prime Minister. The first man to be called this was Sir Robert Walpole, who was Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742.

There are a variety of foods that are traditionally associated with different parts of the UK. Welsh cakes are a traditional Welsh snack made from flour, dried fruits and spices, and served either hot or cold.

During the Second World War, the Germans waged an air campaign against Britain, but the British resisted with their fighter planes and eventually won the crucial aerial battle against the Germans, called ‘the Battle of Britain’, in the summer of 1940.

There were few formal limits to the king’s power until 1215.

بارودۆخی کارکردن لە کارگەکاندا وردە وردە بەرەو باشی دەچوو لە ساڵی ١٨٤٧ ژمارەی ئەو کاتژمێرانەی کە ژنان و منداڵان دەیانتوانی کار بکەن بە یاسا بۆ ١٠ کاتژمێر لە ڕۆژێکدا سنووردار کرا دەستکرا بە دروستکردنی خانووی باشتر بۆ کرێکاران.

MPs are elected at a General Election, which is held at least every five years.

A constitution is a set of principles by which a country is governed.

The Romans remained in Britain for 400 years. They built roads and public buildings, created a structure of law, and introduced new plants and animals. It was during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD that the first Christian communities began to appear in Britain.

In Elizabeth l’s time, English settlers first began to colonise the eastern coast of America. This colonisation, particularly by people who disagreed with the religious views of the next two kings, greatly increased in the next century.

The UK is located in the north west of Europe.

Henry Moore (1898-1986) was an English sculptor and artist. He is best known for his large bronze abstract sculptures.

Sailing continues to be popular in the UK, reflecting our maritime heritage. Many sailing events are held throughout the UK, the most famous of which is at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Members of the House of Lords may not stand for election to the House of Commons but are eligible for all other public offices.

There are thousands of active charities and voluntary organisations in the UK. They range from the British branches of international organisations, such as the British Red Cross, to small local charities working in particular areas.

If you wish to be a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you should: respect and obey the law; respect the rights of others; including their right to their own opinions; treat others with fairness; look after yourself and your family; look after the area in which you live and the environment.