A division of the United Kingdom, in the southern part of the island of Great Britain. Inhabited in prehistoric times by Celtic peoples, it was subsequently invaded by Romans, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, and Normans. Acts of union joined England with Wales in 1536, with Scotland in 1707 to create the political entity of Great Britain, and with Ireland in 1801 to form the United Kingdom. London is the historic capital and the largest city.