According to the Parliament of the United Kingdom: "Until the early 17th century England and Scotland were two entirely independent kingdoms (Wales had been annexed into The Kingdom of England under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542). This changed dramatically in 1603 on the death of Elizabeth I of England. Because the Queen died unmarried and childless, the English crown passed to the next available heir, her cousin James VI, King of Scotland. England and Scotland now shared the same monarch under what was known as a union of the crowns."