The second-largest party in the House of Commons is called the opposition.

Until 1870, when a woman got married, her earnings, property and money automatically belonged to her husband. Acts of Parliament in 1870 and 1882 gave wives the right to keep their own earnings and property.

The monarch is the head of the Church of England. The Church of Scotland is governed by ministers and elders. The chairperson of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the Moderator.

By about AD 600, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were established in Britain. These kingdoms were mainly in what is now England. Parts of the west of Britain, including much of what is now Wales, and Scotland, remained free of Anglo-Saxon rule.

The whole of the British Empire was involved in the conflict. More than a million Indians fought on behalf of Britain in lots of different countries, and around 40,000 were killed. Men trom the West Indies, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada also tought with the British.

In the late 1970s, the post-war economic boom came to an end. Prices of goods and raw materials began to rise sharply and the exchange rate between the pound and other currencies was unstable. The 1970s were also a time of serious unrest in Northern Ireland. In 1972, the Northern Ireland Parliament was suspended and Northern Ireland was directly ruled by the UK government.

Civil war between the king and Parliament could not be avoided and began in 1642. The country split into those who supported the king (the Cavaliers) and those who supported Parliament (the Roundheads).

The Queen has reigned since her father’s death in 1952 until her death in 2022, and in 2012 she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years as queen).

Television comedy developed its own style. In 1969, Monty Python’s Flying Circus introduced a new type of progressive comedy.

The number of people migrating from the West Indies, India, Pakistan and what is now Bangladesh fell in the late 1960s because the government passed new laws to restrict immigration to Britain. Immigrants were required to have a strong connection to Britain through birth or ancestry.

The Turner Prize was established in 1984 and celebrates contemporary art. It was named after Joseph Turner. The Turner Prize is recognised as one of the most prestigious visual art awards in Europe.

Forced marriage is where one or both parties do not or cannot give their consent to enter into the partnership. Forcing another person to marry is a criminal offence.

While St George’s Day (23 April) is no longer a public holiday in England, the day is still celebrated. Parades and small festivals are held all over the country.

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the only ‘Grand Slam’ event played on grass. The first tennis club was founded in Leamington Spa in 1872.

School governors are people from the local community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. Governors and school boards have an important part to play in raising school standards. They have three key roles: setting the strategic direction of the school, ensuring accountability, and monitoring and evaluating school performance.

The English government encouraged Scottish and English Protestants to settle in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland, taking over the land from Catholic landholders.

The UK government has the power to suspend all devolved assemblies. It has used this power several times in Northern Ireland when local political leaders tound it difficult to work together.

The Canterbury Tales was one of the first books to be printed by William Caxton, the first person in England to print books using a printing press.

The Speaker is chosen by other MPs in a secret ballot.

There is no place in British society for extremism or intolerance.

British authors are well known in popular fiction. lan Fleming’s books introduced James Bond.

In Scotland a system called the Children’s Hearings System is used to deal with children and young people who have committed an offence. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if an accused person is aged 10 to 17, the case is normally heard in a Youth Court.

The times following the Bill of Rights of 1689 was also an important time for the development of a free press (newspapers and other publications which are not controlled by the government). From 1695, newspapers were allowed to operate without a government licence. Increasing numbers of newspapers began to be published.

The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror after he became king in 1066. Tours are given by the Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, who tell visitors about the building’s history. People can also see the Crown Jewels there.