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Period: Jan 1, 1200 to
timespan
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Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was the first document to limit the power of an absolute monarch. It basically states that the English people have basic human rights that can not be taken away from them. It was written by the subjects of King John who also forced him to sign it. -
Dec 14, 1241
Parliament
Parliament was established to work in conjunction with the king and limit his power. The Parliament was supposed to oversee all of the king's actions and advise him. It was composed of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. -
English Civil War
The English Civil War was fought between Parliament and the King. Parliament won the war and saw it fit to limit the kings power in order to prevent another civil war. -
The Gentry
The Gentry was another group that limited the King's power. It was made up of around fifteen thousand English men who spoke for the rest of the country. The Gentry was not only made up of higher, aristocratic people, but also middle class and upper middle class Englishmen. -
Charles I's Execution
Charles I was a tyrant whose rule caused the English Civil War. He was a traitor to England and was put to death because of it. After his rule, a push to limit the monarch's power happened in order to prevent another situation similar to that of Charles I. Oliver Cromwell rose to power in England. He was one of the men that signed Charles I's death warrant. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights lays down limitations to the monarchy and explains the powers of Parliament. The main thing that the English Bill of Rights deals with is the succession to the monarchy. -
Act of Settlement 1701
The Act of Settlement was written in 1700 and passed in 1701. It dictates succession to the English throne. This limited the English monarchy by making sure that the throne was not based off of family inheritance.