English Bill of Rights timeline

By Deltav
  • James I becomes the King of England

    James I succeeded Elizabeth I after her death. Because he believed in divine right, he was able to take the throne. He began to fight the parliament over money and foreign policy.
  • Charles I becomes King of England

    Charles I continued to believe in the divine right to the throne and strained the relation with the parliament even more.
  • Charles I signs the Petition of Right

    The parliament forced Charles I to sign anyways. A lot of things on this document sound familiar (no imprisonment without proper cause, no quartering of soldiers, ect.), as this document is essentially a alpha build of what would later become the Bill of rights.
  • Period: to

    Charles I's rule/Eleven year's tyranny

    Charles I ruled without ever having sessions with parliament, essentially giving him free rule over the country. He obtained wealth through unfavorable means, and also caused many religious wars.
  • Period: to

    English Civil War

    A conflict between the Royalists/Cavaliers and Parliamentarians/Roundheads. This was caused by religious disagreement and dissatisfaction with the King.
  • Charles I gets executed

    England had finally abolished the monarchy (and Europe was very surprised).
  • Period: to

    Cromwell takes over

    England declares themselves as a republic/commonwealth. Oliver Cromwell rules as Lord Protector and implements Puritanical social reforms. However, his rule become increasingly authoritarian.
  • Monarchy restoration

    Charles II restores the monarchy. Initially, there is celebration, but Charles II decides to beef with the parliament once more
  • The Habeas Corpus act

    The Bill of Rights, now with 25% more rights!
  • James II comes to power

    James II is openly Catholic, which already alarms many English people. However, he even elects Catholics to power while ignoring parliament.
  • The Glorious Revolution

    The parliament invites William of Orange (Dutch ruler) and Charles II's protestant daughter to invade England. James II flees and the revolution results in little bloodshed.
  • William and Mary become joint sovereigns

    William and Mary accept the parliament's conditions in order to take the throne, in addition to signing the English Bill of Rights.