The Great Seal of the Realm or Great Seal of the United Kingdom (known prior to the Treaty of Union of 1707 as the Great Seal of England; and from then until the Union of 1801 as the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland) is a seal that is used to symbolise the Sovereign's approval of important state documents. Scotland since the 14th century has had its own seal, the Great Seal of Scotland and the current keeper under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, 45(7) is the First Minister of Scotland.