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Period: Jan 1, 1200 to
7.3 Even Steps to a Limited Monarch
The progress of England toward a limited monarchy over time. -
Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Although the Magna Carta was developed long before absolutism in large part emerged in Europe, it was an early recognition of some of the limitations on monarchical power and the rights of some English subjects. Despite being largely ignored by many kings, the document provided Parliament with justification for its opposition to monarchical abuses of power, and it was cited in several documents Parliament released as they fought to establish more limited monarchy in England. -
Mar 23, 1534
First Act of Succession
Henry's Act of Succession established the religious context that was crucial to development of limited monarchy in England. After the act, England's religious devotion flucuated between more to Catholic principles and more to Protestant ideology. This religious debate would drive a largely Protestant Parliament to oppose the Catholic-leaning Stuart kings of the seventeenth century and to ultimately search for a more limited monarchy. -
The Death of Queen Elizabeth I
When Queen Elizabeth I died childless, the Tudor dynasty ended to be followed by the Stuart dynasty. Due to the Catholic sympathies and absolutist ideals of the Stuart kings, the struggle in England against absolutism quickly intensified, leading to two successful rebellions against them. Had Elizabeth I had a Tudor heir, the relative balance that had developed under her reign might have been preserved, and this struggle and limited might not have emerged in England at least until later. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right clearly indicated the growing political power of Parliament in that it was able to persuade the monarch to recognize a document that largely sought to restrict his powers. It also formalized the rights and liberties that some English people sought in more limited monarchy and represented the partial codification of these freedoms. -
Execution of King Charles I
The execution of King Charles I was a clear demonstration of the power Parliament had achieved, essentially representing the product of a Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War and a defeat of royal power. This shift of practical ower into the hands of Parliament and away from the monarchy illustrated suggested a partial transition to a limited monarchy in which the monarch possesses such restricted powers. -
The Glorious Revolution
In the Glorious Revolution, Parliament was able to effectively depose a monarch and select a new one so as to elicit a largely peaceful transition of power at will. This revolution then represents the emergence of a limited monarchy at least in terms of military force as Parliament had developed a power to control the monarch. Even if it had not yet been codified, a limited monarchy then can be seen to have developed in England. -
Bill of Rights
With the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1689, a formal, codified limited monarchy was established in England, creating specific restrictions on monarchical powers and preserving some rights for Parliament. After the emergence of limited monarchy at this point, the balance of power in England remained typically more effectively distributed between the monarch and Parliament, and several prime ministers as heads of Parliament, including Sir Robert Walpole, achieved great power.
