1707 when Britain became politically united and ceased to be England and Scotland. The English colonies preceded that, but it was not British. Cromwell's invas

1707 when Britain became politically united and ceased to be England and Scotland. The English colonies preceded that, but it was not British. Cromwell's invasion of Ireland was the start of the plantation system, i.e. settler colonies. Before that there was the brief Anglo-French dual monarchy during the reign of Henry VI. And before that there was the larger Angevin Empire which included Britain, Ireland, and the western half of France. However I would consider that Norman rather than English as the rulers spoke French.