The Act of Settlement was a law passed by the Parliament of England in 1701. It aimed to ensure a Protestant succession to the English throne, following the death of Queen Anne. The Act established that only Protestant descendants of James VI and I could inherit the crown, thereby excluding Catholics and those married to Catholics. This legislation was significant in shaping the future of the British monarchy. It also laid the groundwork for the Union of Great Britain in 1707, as it affected both England and Scotland. The Act remains a key part of the constitutional framework of the United Kingdom.