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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Signed
King John put his seal onto the Magna Carta when he was confronted by forty barons who were displeased with his rule. The Magna Carta established the main idea that no individual was above the law even if they were a king. This charter was important because it was the first time that the English had forced their monarch to accept the confines of his power, while it also represented the first main challenge to the Monarch's rule. -
Parliament Creates Petition of Right
The Petition of Right made it so that there would be no forced loans or taxation without the consent of Parliament, that no free man should be imprisoned without due cause, and troops should not be in private homes. This made it so that the citizens of England were able to have some control and it also limited the power of the monarch significantly. -
Charles I Dissolves Parliament
Charles I called Parliament for funds for the Scottish war, but instead Parliament wants Charles to address a list of grievances first. Angry, Charles immediatelt dissolves Parliament. This event shows the growing conflict between the monarchy and Parliament. Growing tension allows Parliament to question the authority of the monarch. -
The Long Parliament
In desperate need for funds after the Bishops' War in Scotland, Charles I was forced to summon another Parliament. During the Long Parliament, Parliament was able to give themselves more power by requiring that Parliament convene at least every three years and that Parliament could not be dissolved without its' own members' consent. -
English Civil War
King Charles I and Parliament formed their own personal armies and fought against eachother for four years, with eventually Parliament succeeding with their leader being Oliver Cromwell. The English Parliament was able to establish itself as a power and had a voice after the fighting in the Civil War. Parliament was also able to demonstrate its power influence against the crown with this war. -
Charles I Executed
The execution of Charles I demonstrates the amazing breakdown in the relationship between Parliament and the monarchy, especially with their differences in political policy and relgion, and for the first time the people of England were able to have a say in who and what led them as a country. This signifies the beginning of the rise of Parliament to almost being equal with the monarchy. -
Parliament Passes Bill of Rights
Parliament passed the Bill of Rights which grealty limited the powers of the English monarchs and King and Queen William and Mary of Orange were required to accept the English Bill of Rights as a condition of their rule. The Bill of Rights stopped English monarchs from establishing their own courts, preventing Protestants from bearing arms, creating a standing army, imposing fines or punishments without trial, or imposing cruel punishments.
