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Jul 24, 1567
James I's Succession
James VI succeeded Elizabeth I of England and became James I, King of England on the 24th of July, 1567. He was a fervent believer in the Divine Right of Kings and expected to rule without opposition. However, his levying of taxes without consulting parliament and disliked foreign and religious policies grew dissent amongst parliament and his subjects. -
Charles I's Succession and Early Distrust
On the 16th of March, 1625, Charles I succeeded his father, James I, as King of England. Due to his father's actions, parliament distrusted the Charles' monarchy and so Charles had to resort to going around parliament to raise funds for war. This only made parliament, and his subjects, dislike the monarchy even more because of his forcibly exectued taxes. His religious policies were also disliked, as he tried to impose unity under one religion in England and Scotland. -
Another War, Another List of Problems
Charles attempted to impose religious conformity within both England and Scotland in 1637. The scots rebelled and Charles was forced to call parliament for funds, due to his lack thereof. Before parliament even agreed to discussing funds, they brought forth a list of grievences, the Grand Remonstrance, which listed many unjust taxes, imprisonments, Charles' failure to follow the Petition of Right, and his greatly disliked policies in multiple areas. -
Civil War Erupts
During the Long Parliament, which Charles had called to discuss funds for the Scottish war but parliament used to address issues with Charles, Charles I invaded parliament, intending to arrest his opponents, who stated that parliament should control the army, not the king. They escaped, and parliament was shocked. Charles grew his own standing army (the Cavaliers), as did parliament (the Roundheads). Civil war between parliament and the monarchy ensued for four years. -
Parliament's Victory, Puritan Rule
Parliament allied itslef with Sotland in 1643 and defeated Charles I militarily by 1645. Charles tried to find and take advantage of rifts in parliament but was defeated at every turn. On Janury 30, 1649, he was publicly executed and England became a Puritan Republic under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, until 1660. -
A Return to the Monarchy, but...
Cromwell's rule turned out to be just as hated and disliked as Charles'. In 1660, England welcomed Charles II back to the throne. While Charles II favored religious toleration, however, officials in parliament wanted to preserve the Anglican Church. They passed the test act, preventing catholics from coming to power. When James II succeeded Charles II and attempted to repeal it, parliament didn't like it. James II eventually had a catholic son born, who would take the throne. -
Please, Invade Us.
James II's catholic son threatened the preservation of the Anglican Church and so parliament decided to take action. James II also begain to pursue absolutist policies similar to Louis XIV of France. Parliament invited William III of Orange, a leader of an opposition towards Louis XIV. James II fled and William and his wife were crowned king and queen. They recognized a Bill of Rights, which greatly limited the monarchy.
