-
James I Becomes King of England
James I believed that kings had a divine right to the throne and to rule. Because of his beliefs, the population grew wary of James’ authority and started to question the monarchs.
Tendencies towards limiting monarchy started with James. James consistently struggled with paying off the debt that Elizabeth I left him, and the House of Commons took notice. This gave evidence that rule in the hands of one would not survive. Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_King_James_I_% -
Period: to
Events Leading to Limited Monarchy
-
Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot, led by Guy Fawkes, was an elaborate plot to blow up the King and Parliament. This radical group rejected James' rule that required participation in Anglican services, as they were Catholic. This event is important to the limitation of absolute monarchy because it shows that people who were unhappy with a law/restriction began to act against it.
Image: http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/8A8C511A-3B5C-4728-932A-613EF0588CBE/BE005359.jpg -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was a formal measure that supported limiting a monarch's rule. It essentially gave Parliament the only rights to levy taxes, change rules of martial law in that it cannot be declared during peace, and imprisonment requires a specific charge. The document is a prime example of how monarchs were becoming restricted in their powers, and the powers. Image: http://www.parliament.uk/ImageVault/Images/id_963/ImageVaultHandler.aspx?~963~Petition of Right -
The Bishop's War of 1639-1640
The Bishop's War was when Archbishop Laud persecuted Puritans and attempted to inflict Anglican worship on the Scots. This was significant to the lessening of absolute monarchy because Charles I had to specifically ask for the help of Parliament to pay the conflicts over. The King was actually seeking the help of Parliament, recognizing that help was needed. Image: http://www.historycentral.com/WH1400-1900/Europe/Europe/TriennalAct.jpg -
Charles I's Execution
The execution of Charles I was one of the most controversial events in European history, as all of Europe was horrified. It demonstrates how people were becoming more strongly against absolute monarchies as it escalated into the death of a person. He was executed because he kept attempting to bring himself back to power.
Image:http://www.heritage-history.com/books/church/stories2/zpage207.gif -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution demonstrated Parliament's new authority over absolute monarchy. Parliament soon evolved into representing the people of England. It included the Declaration of Rights, Bill of Rights, Habeas Corpus Act, and the Petition of Rights into the English Constitution. It proves that England was coming more to a limited monarchy as well as catering more to the public's best interest.
Image:http://www.open2.net/open2static/source/file/root/0/61/59/253689/glorious_revolution_Square -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights defined the powers that Parliament possessed over the monarch. It established that only Parliament could control taxes, laws, standing armies, and that all have free speech. Parliament also agreed that it would be freely elected. These measures supported a limited monarchy because it focused on restricting powers and letting people have a bigger voice in the government.
Image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/English_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689_%28top%29.j
