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Magna Carta was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself. -
The English Civil War was a conflict between the supporters of King Charles I and those who sought to limit the monarchy's power. The Parliamentarians, led by Oliver Cromwell, emerged victorious and subsequently executed Charles I. This event demonstrated that the monarchy could be overthrown and laid the groundwork for the establishment of a more limited form of government. -
After the death of Oliver Cromwell, the monarchy was restored with the ascension of Charles II to the throne. This event is related to limited monarchy because the Restoration came with certain conditions. The king was required to accept limits on his authority and recognize the authority of Parliament, which signaled a move towards a more limited monarchy. -
The Glorious Revolution was a pivotal event that cemented the principles of limited monarchy in England. It involved the overthrow of King James II, who was seen as a threat to Protestantism and the rights of Parliament. William of Orange, a Dutch Protestant, and his wife Mary were invited to assume the throne. They accepted a Declaration of Rights, which affirmed the supremacy of Parliament and enshrined certain civil liberties. -
The Bill of Rights was passed by Parliament in 1689, and was further codified the limits on royal authority. It established the principles of parliamentary sovereignty, freedom of speech in Parliament, and protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment, among other rights. This event is connected to the limited monarchy because it became a cornerstone of the English constitutional system. -
The Act of Settlement was an important piece of legislation that solidified the limited monarchy in England. It established the Protestant succession to the throne and prohibited Catholics from assuming the crown. This act ensured that the monarchy would continue to operate within the framework of the Church of England and maintained the principle of a constitutional monarchy. -
The Act of Union of 1707 united the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain. This event had implications for the monarchy as it brought together different legal and political systems. The Act of Union helped to strengthen the position of Parliament as a central institution in the governance of the country, further limiting the power of the monarch.