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Queen Elizabeth of England passes away
Elizabeth I was a staunchly independent queen, and she left no direct heir to the throne. She had ruled since 1558 with cunning and outspokenness. She manipulated and practically controlled Parliament and squashed opposition. Even upon her death she was slick; her accumulated debts were carried over to her Scottish cousin James who replaced her on the throne. -
James I becomes King of England
James Stuart was thirty-five when he became king. Like Elizabeth, he was politically shrewd, but he lacked the ability to successfully enforce his power as his cousin did. Unique to him, James I was a staunch supporter of the divine right of kings. If the House of Commons tried to push something on him, they would be defying the rule of God, because God selected James I to rule, and he had absolute power (hence “absolutism”). -
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Charles I becomes King of England
Charles Stuart continued his father’s absolutist policies by trying to reject the power of the House of Commons and other previously well-established English institutions (like Parliament). Charles I actually attempted to rule without the use of Parliament from 1629 to November 1640. His financial plan during this time consisted of the use of extreme tax levies that many an Englishman considered illegal. Many English were also fed up with Charles’s Catholic tolerances. -
The House of Commons carries more money than the House of Lords "three times over"
This statement by a Commoner summed up the status of the new English elite. This group had so much more land and wealth than it did in the 16th century. Under Henry VIII, the Commons was virtually powerless in rejecting his demands. But, the House of Commons of the 17th century demonstrated greater education and more of a willingness to stand up to the “defiant” absolutist Stuart family kings. -
The House of Commons passes the Triennial Act
The Triennial Act was passed by the "Long Parliament," during the reign of King Charles I. This required that the king call a Parliamental session every three years. It was enacted to counter any king who tried to dissolve Parliament or bypass them (as Charles I did between 1629-1640). -
English Civil War Begins
The English Civil War (ending in 1649) was a conflict between those in England who favored the sovereignty of the king or Parliamentary sovereignty. It was fought between the Parliamentary New Model Army and the forces of King Charles I. -
Parliament reorganizes the New Model Army
During the heat of the English Civil War, Parliament assembled its own band of troops called the New Model Army in order to counter King Charles I’s army. This organization was led by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax. -
The New Model Army prevails at the Battles of Naseby and Langport
The Battle of Naseby was the turning point of the English Civil War. King Charles I's army was destroyed here by the New Model Army (led by Fairfax and Cromwell). The Battle of Langport in July 1645 saw another Parliment victory. Here, the few remaining forces of Charles I's army were defeated. Parliamentary victory was assumed to be achieved, save for Charles I's stubborness to defeat. -
Charles I is beheaded for High Treason by the Rump Parliament
King Charles I was declared guilty and a death warrant was issued. Parliament could simply not justify the king's right to the Civil War, divine right, and absolutism and they therefore executed him for what they saw as his treasonous actions. -
Parliament and Oliver Cromwell institute the Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were designed to force English trade to be carried out only using English ships. Trade with colonies was only conducted with nations only "favorable to England". The Acts also stopped direct trade with France, Holland, and other European powers. -
Oliver Cromwell leads the Commonwealth of England under the Instrument of Government
Oliver Cromwell was declared leader of the "Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland", beginning the Protectorate Period. The commonwealth was not really a republic, but a military dictatorship. Cromwell imposed partial-martial law and divided up England into a dozen districts. Cromwell crushed rebellions and massacred the Irish for their "heretical" Catholic beliefs, He had mercantilist policies, too. -
Oliver Cromwell dies
Cromwell died from disease and infection. His son Richard succeeded him as protectorate of England, Ireland, and Scotland, but his ineffectual leaderhip caused the downfall of the "commonwealth-dictatorship" in 1660, and the end of such a government since. -
Restoration of the monarchy in England (Charles II)
The Restoration of the English monarchy saw the election of Charles II. Charles II promised to restore the practices of the monarchy, such as Parliament, the Church of England, and the court of law. The Restoration did not answer the question of Puritan or Catholic toleration, or other church separation. -
Charles II becomes King of England
Under Charles II, monarchy was reestablished, along with Parliament, the Church of England, and the “justices of the peace” court and law system. While Charles II was uninterested in doctrinal matters, Parliament was, and they wanted to introduce Protestant uniformity (see Test Act 1673). Charles II appointed five representatives (the "Cabal") who shrunk the gap between the king and Parliament. Charles did, however, strike deals with Louis XIV, who exchanged money for Catholic toleration. -
Parliament passes the Test Act
The Test Acts were a series of English penal laws that served as a religious test for public office and imposed various civil disabilities on Roman Catholics and Noncomformists. Established that only people belonging to the Church of England were eligible for public employment. -
James II became King of England
He ascended the throne upon the death of his brother Charles II. He was the last Roman Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland. Members of Britain’s political and religious elite increasingly suspected him of being pro-French and pro-Catholic and trying to become an absolute monarch. -
Glorious Revolution of Enland
Also called the Revolution of 1688, this was the overthrow of King James II of England by William of Orange, who received help from a union of English Parliamentarians. William’s invasion of England with his Dutch fleet and army led to him becoming William III of England jointly with his wife Mary II of England. -
William and Mary become King and Queen of England
When King James II had a son in 1688, the line of succession changed by displacing the heir, his daughter Mary, the wife of William of Orange. William became outraged and crossed the English channel with a Dutch fleet and army. With his dislike of Catholicism William of Orange became William III of England and jointly ascended to the throne with his wife Mary II of England.
