The successor state of the Septinsular Republic, it covered the territory of the Ionian Islands, as well as the port of Parga on the Greek mainland.

It was ceded by the British to Greece as a gift to the newly enthroned King George I,[7] apart from Parga, which had been sold to Ali Pasha of Ioannina in 1819.

After the War of the Fourth Coalition, the Ionian Islands were occupied by the French Empire as stipulated in the Treaty of Tilsit.

Although their energy in the early years was directed to supporting their fellow Greek revolutionaries in the revolution against the Ottoman Empire, they switched their focus to enosis with Greece following their independence.

On 15 August 1849, another rebellion broke out, which was quashed by Henry George Ward, who proceeded to temporarily impose martial law.

In total, ten men served in this capacity, including William Gladstone as a Lord High Commissioner Extraordinary (in office 1858–1859).