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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Issued in England
The Magna Carta set in motion the future limitations on the English monarchy. Passed by barons, it attempted to limit the power of English kings by forcing to accept that they were bound by law, by protecting many rights of the English citizens, preventing unlawful imprisonment (habeus corpus), and more. This was the first instance of the citizenry limiting the power of the monarch. -
Nov 13, 1295
King Edward calls for a Parliament
Parliament had an extremely limited presence in English government until Edward called a representative body of the entire country to represent the people for the first time, having knights and commoners all included. This was process which would be emulated in future Parliament sessions. This was also the first summoning of Parliament which resulted in a challenging of the king's authority. -
Period: Dec 3, 1533 to Mar 28, 1534
Reign of Ivan the Terrible
Absolute Monarch; exercised harsh autocratic control over Russia's hereditary nobility, established a BUREAUCRACY to manage his newly-conquered territories -
Nov 1, 1534
King Henry VIII Severs England from Church
Henry VIII separated England from the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. It severed any ties that England had with the powerful outside authority that was the pope. The English government was now managed in both a political and religious aspect by the same figure, the king, and this would have significant repercussions for the final development of a limited monarchy. -
Period: Jul 25, 1554 to
Reign of King Phillip II of Spain
Absolute monarch; king of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily. Organized Spanish Armada against Protestant England, failed. He strengthened Inquistion. His rule in provinces led to Dutch revolt in Netherlands and led to 80 Years' War due to his taxation. Under his rule, Spain reached PEAK of its power and wealth from spice trade during era of religious conflict. -
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Reign of King Henry IV of France
French Absolutism developed circa 1589 to 1648. Reinstatement of feudal hierarchy of 3 social orders (estates) based on rank and privilege under Henry's 1589-1610 reign. France became most populated and strongest nation in Europe.
Henry (Bourbon dynasty) strengthened social hierarchy (but weakened nobility w bourg.) and government institutions like 'parliaments' of noble judges, universities, treasuries, and Church. First king to encourage French colonization in New World and stimulate trade. -
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Reign of Stuarts of England
17th c. absolutist Stuarts would be restrained by Parliament growth.
James I (r. 1603-1625) struggled with Parliamentary control.
Charles I (r. 1625-1629) beheaded during English Civil War
Charles II (r. 1660-1685) restored to throne with Parliament's consent.
James II (r. 1685-1688) was exiled to France during Glorious Revolution -
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Reign of King Louis XIII of France
Influenced by feudal, corrupt princes + nobles to take power and exile mother. French absolute monarch with Cardinal Richelieu, a politique who prioritized political interests over religious. Weakened nobility with 'Intendant' system, developed mercantilism begun by Duke of Sully, subdued the Huguenots by taking armies. Thirty Years' War: sought to weaken Hapsburg Empire policy in France, declared war on Spain. -
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English Civil War
series of conflicts between Parliamentarians and Royalists over manner of England's government. Parliamentarian victory in 1651. Replacement of English monarchy with Commonwealth (1649–53) and then Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell (1653–58). Constitutionally, the wars established the precedent that an English monarch cannot govern without Parliament's consent, although the idea of Parliament as the ruling power of England was only legally established as part of the Glorious Revolution in 1688. -
Period: to
Reign of King Louis XIV of France - "I am the State" / "Sun King"
Quintessential French absolute ruler who personified idea that sovereignty lies in ruler. Reigned 72 years, longest in EH. France was main power, French became epicenter Euro language like Latin during Middle Ages. Cardinal Mazarin in Fronde controlled, defeated nobles. Controlled peasantry with corvee, controlled nobles with Versailles and intendant system. Mercantilism, religious policies, revoked Edict of Nantes. Leading industrial country, many WARS. Sowed seeds of revolution later. -
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Interregnum in England
1649-1660: rule without king.
Commonwealth abolished Lords and monarchy, made a military state with Charles II as king.
Protectorate made a dictatorship of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector, dissolving parliament. -
Period: to
Reign of Peter the Great
Through wars, expanded Russian Tsardom and later Russian Empire into major european power. He led a cultural revolution that replaced some of the traditionalist and medieval social and political systems with ones that were modern, scientific, westernized, and based on The Enlightenment. -
Period: to
Glorious Revolution + Bill of Rights
Glorious Revolution was final act for political sovereignty: Parliament unwilling to sacrifice constitutional gains of English Civil War and return to absolute monarchy, so James II was forced to abdicate. He angered them bc he reissued Declaration of Indulgence and was Catholic.
Bill of Rights (1689) made England a constitutional monarchy and made England the hallmark for constitutionalism in Europe. Had provisions. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was the final stepping stone in the final result of a limited, constitutional monarchy in England. Certain rights were enumerated in the document, largely meant to temper the power of English monarcys, such as the right to petition against a ruler and the freedom from royal taxes. It was now law in England that a monarch work in harmony with Parliament. -
Period: to
First Cabinet System under PM Robert Walpole
18th c. Cabinet system of ministers from House of Commons led by Prime Minister. Established precedent that cabinet was responsible to House of Commons. Hanoverian kings (George I and George II) presided less and less at Cabinet meetings. Decision making of Crown declined as result.