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Jan 1, 1265
First English Parliament Formed
Upon assuming the throne, Henry III took almost complete control over the government, angering the influential people of England, such as the nobles and barons, who feared they would lose their power to the king. As an act of rebellion, Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester formed a group of his follower to represent England, known as Parliament. Although a similar "parliament" group existed before this time, it was only summoned when taxes were needed to raise money for the government. -
Triennial Act is Passed
The Triennial Act was passed by Parliament during the reign of King Charles I, ending the ability of a King to dissolve Parliament. It states that Parliament must meet at least once every three years, preventing Kings from ruling the government alone. The act was a reaction to Charles I's continuous dissolution efforts of the Parliament prior to 1641. -
English Civil War
The Civil Wars of England lasted from 1642-1645, 1648-1649. and1649-1651. In the 1640 Parliament, John Pym read a speech concerning the issues and problems against the monarchy. Charles refused to listen to their suggestions for change and dissolved the Parliament. Charles summoned it again, but eventually Parliament and its followers (including the Puritans) separated from the rest of government and waged war against Charles I and the royalists. -
Charles I's Execution
Oliver Cromwell, leader of the Independents, became victorious over the royalists during the English Civil War at Naseby in 1645, and Charles I surrendered to them. The House of the Commons decided that Charles I, their irresponsible King deserved to be put to death. In January of 1649 he was beheaded for the public in Whitehall. -
William and Mary Ascend the Throne
After James II was removed from the government and sent into exile, William III of Orange (William III) and his wife/cousin Mary were given the position of King and Queen of England. Throughout their reign they passed many important politcal documents, such as the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement. Thus, their rule marked the end of royal prerogative, allowing Parliament to acquire an even more prominent role in governing England. -
English Bill of Rights is Passed
The Bill of Rights was passed in Parliament, aprroved by William and Mary, allowing freedom of speech, right to petition against the monarch, freedom from taxation without the Parliament's consent, and more. The Bill of Rights also included the Magna Carta and Habeas Corpus Acts which had been passed a few years earlier. The introduction of these laws into government allowed for more freedom for the people, less controling monarchs, and more power to the parliament. -
Act of Settlement is Passed
Known as the "seal of English Constitutional Laws" the Act of Settlement was passed to allow the throne to opass on to Electress Sophia of Hanover, and doing such it provided rights and more power to the Parliament than it had previously. The Act of Settlement is known as the most important statute in the history of England.
