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Jun 19, 1566
James I begins Reign
James I began his reign in England, beginning a period of imposition taxes, as James tried to gather non-parliamentary money for his treasury. James asserted Anglican dominance throughout his reign, and rarely convened Parliament. This strategy left him in sole power, deepening the divisions between Anglican and Catholic, and Scottish and English. -
Charles I Begins Reign
Charles I became ruler of England. His reign was filled with tarriffs as he too attempted to fund the kingdom without Parliament. When Parliament went against his wishes, he dissolved it, making himself supreme ruler of England. Charles imposed religious conformity. This worsened the divisive religious situation, just as the subjects suffered under high taxes, creating more tension and hatred of the monarch. -
Earl of Strafford Excecuted
Laud and Strafford, advisors to Charles, were excecuted for high treason during the "Long Parliament", due to their taxation and religious practices. Parliament then forbade its dissolution byt the king, using its stranglehold on the monarchy as Charles feared for his family due to civil unrest over his practices. On the third of May, Parliament issued the Protestation, attacking Charles's policies. Parliament and the poor were now allied against the monarchy and the nobles. -
Charles II Retakes the Throne
Charles II took over the rule of England after his father's death. Charles II had Catholic sympathies, and clashed with Parliament. Charles issued the Declaration of Indulgence, forbidding capital punishment for Catholic crimes. Parliament gagged, issuing the Test Act requiring civil servants to be confirmend in the Anglican Church. Charles agreed. Yet controversy over succession to the throne and Oates's "Popish Plot" created distrust of Catholics yet again in England, creating tension. -
Oliver Cromwell Reunites England
After Charles' execution, Cromwell reunited England after the Civil War. He at first proposed Parliamentary rule, just as he had fought for in the War. Yet he soon became atyrant, silencing his opponents and creating a Puritan Republic, creating the same tensions as before the war. The people and Parliament were appaled, and they came to distrust the single ruler. -
William of Orange Invades England
James II had dissolved Parliament, so it responded by inviting William of Orange to invade England. In this bloodless invasion, William strengthened the people of England. They thereby destroyed the old monarchy in what became know as the "glorious Revolution." -
English Bill of Rights Passed
After William of Orange and Mary became sovereigns of England, Parliament finally gave the people thier rights. Most importantly, royalty could no longer tax, only legal courts would be recognized, and freedom of speech was recognized. This created a monarchy where power was shared, the greater portion given to Parliament. Jonh Locke's influence is all over the document, inherent from his 'rights of man.'
