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Jan 1, 700
Witan
In Cerca 8th Century, the Witan started to appear in Anglo Saxon government. This was a council selected by the King that advised him should he ever have needed help. However, the Witan's actions were up to the discretion of the King, meaning that he essentially had complete control over them. -
Jan 1, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was signed by King John of England. It levelled down the power of the king, and put everybody in England on a more equal ground in terms of their individual rights. -
Charles I Calls and DIssolves the Parliament
King Charles I, unable to come up with funds himself for the Thirty Years' War, called for Parliament and asked for help in procuring these funds. They asked him to sign the Peition of Right, which required him to consult the Parliament before he could force taxes or loans against someone, imprison a freeman, or position troops in people's homes; despite the loss of power caused by the document, Charles signed it. However, after further disputes, Charles dissolved the Parliament a year later. -
Charles called Parliament Twice
Charles called another Parliament to come with funds for building an army for to handle the conflicts in Scotland caused by Charles' religious policies, but they refused to help him until he did what they wanted, causing the Parliament to be disbanded again. However, after the situation in Scotland got worse, Charles eventually called for the formation of another Parliament out of desperation. -
English Civil War
King Charles I attempted to interfere with his opposition in the Parliament by imprisoning them, but they escaped and sparked a Civil War between the Parliament's supporters (the Roundheads) and the King's supporters (the Cavaliers). -
Execution of Charles I, Formation of Puritan Republic
After success by the Roundheads in the Civil War, Charles I is eventually executed by England. Upon Charles' execution, Oliver Cromwell converted England to a Puritan Republic, which lasted for the next eleven years. -
Charles II Becomes King of England and Restores the Monarchy
After Oliver Cromwell died in 1658, the remnants of the old monarchy began to re-emerge. In 1660, Charles II returned to England and restored the monarchy and by becoming King of England. He also disbanded the Puritan Republic, and re-established the Anglican Church. Parliament was only able to meet upon Charles' call, showing the power of the monarchy was still there. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was established, which insituted a bigger set of checks and balances against the monarchy, essentially leveling down the power it had, and officially killing absolutism in England. -
Unification of England
In Cerca 10th Century, England began to transition towards being politically united, and in year 954, was permanently politcally united, which allowed the King to control all of England.
