English Bill of Rights Timeline

By Mzunrz

  • James the I Becomes the King of England

    • After the death of his cousin, Elizabeth I, death James I succeeds to the throne due to Elizabeth I's lack of direct heirs.
    • King James I firmly believed monarchs gained their authority directly from God and didn't like the idea of authority going to the parliament.
    • James I imposed taxes on imports and exports without the parliament's consent and attempted to create an alliance with Spain. Further straining the relationship between the king and the parliament.

  • 1625: Charles I Becomes King

    • Like his father Charles I too believed in divine right. Leading him to also have a strained and distrustful relationship with the parliament.

  • Petition of Right

    • The Parliament forces Charles I to sign the Petition of Right by complaining about multiple laws that he has broken.
      • The four principles of the Petition of Right were: 1) No taxation without Parliament's consent 2) No imprisonment without cause 3) No quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent 4) No martial law in peacetime.
    • King Charles I agreed to these terms. However he still continued to ignore the Parliament.
  • Period: to

    Charles I's Personal Rule (Eleven Years' Tyranny)

    • Charles I ruled without the Parliament. He got away with this by neglecting to summon them.
    • While ignoring the Parliament Charles I revived the use of taxes of imports and exports also known as ship money. Many people thought of this as controversial and were outraged by it.
    • Charles I angered religious groups by changing the contents of their books and religious policies.
  • Period: to

    English Civil War

    • War occurred between the Cavaliers (Supporters of the King) and the Round heads (The religious)
    • The Round heads won both the Marston Moor battle and the Naseby Battle, destroying the Cavaliers.
  • Period: to

    The Commonwealth and the Protectorate

    • England was declared a republic by the Rump Parliament on May 19th, 1649 and was known as the Commonwealth.
    • Oliver Cromwell ruled over England as lord Protector
    • Puritanical social reforms are taking place.
    • Cromwell's rule becomes stricter.

  • Execution of Charles I

    • King Charles I was executed outside of the Banqueting House in Whitehall. The king's execution was a revolutionary act that shook Europe.
    • The monarchy was abolished shortly after.

  • The Restoration

    • Charles II restored the once abolished monarchy.
    • Tensions between royalty and the Parliament occur again.

  • Habeas Corpus Act

    • The Habeas Corpus Act protects citizens against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment and a right to a fair and speedy trial.

  • James II Becomes King

    • James II openly identifies as Catholic which many English people find off putting, and appoints many Catholics in positions of power
    • James II also chose to ignore the Parliament.

  • 1688: The Glorious Revolution

    • The Parliament invites William of Orange to invade England because they were scared of a Catholic dynasty emerging.
    • James II escapes to France during the invasion

  • 1689: English Bill of Rights

    The English Bill of Rights was created to give citizens more freedom by separating power to limit the monarchy.
    • The Key principles are: 1 ) Monarchy receives limited power 2) Guarantee certain rights to Parliament and individuals. 3) Freedom of speech in Parliament. 4) No cruel and unusual punishment. 5) Right to petition the King. 6) No taxation without Parliament's consent. 7) No standing army in peacetime without Parliament's consent. 8) Free elections.

  • William and Mary Become Joint Sovereigns

    -William and Mary accepted the Parliaments conditions and assumed the throne.