Failure of the Absolute English Monarchy

17th Century

Period: Jan 1, 1600 to Dec 31, 1699

James I becomes King of England

Mar 24, 1603

James assumes the throne of England ending the reign of Elizabeth I. He will prove to be less effective at balancing the needs of the Nobles and the needs of the Country. He would fail to dominate the nobles by force and would fail to address the religious problems in England (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Portrait_of_King_James_I_%26_VI.jpg)

Charles I is crowned King of England

Feb 2, 1626

Charles I took all of the issues started by James I and made them worse. He further angered Parliament by constantly undermining it. He did not help the religious conflict by appearing soft on Catholics. He also could not maintain the budget of the crown. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England#/media/File:Charles_I_(Daniel_Mytens).jpg)

Charles I Invades Parliament and Ignites the English Civil War

Jan 4, 1642

In response to an increasing number of MPs opposing the King, he sent soldiers to arrest any MP who spoke against him. They all escaped and this led to the English Civil War. The Cavaliers supported the King, while the round-heads supported Parliament. The war ended with a Parliamentary Victory. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Battle_of_Marston_Moor#/media/File:Battle_of_Marston_Moor,_1644.png)

Charles I Executed

Jan 30, 1649

With the Parliamentary victory in the English Civil War, Charles I was captured and subsequently beheaded. His death marked a 12 year gap for Royal Power as the Parliament, and later Oliver Cromwell, took control of the government of England.
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Execution_of_Charles_I.jpg)

Charles II becomes King of England

May 29, 1660

Charles' coronation marked a return to a monarchy in England. The Cromwell government had proven unpopular and had been replaced with his death. Charles II proved more popular than Cromwell but he never held absolute power in England but the power he did hold frustrated Parliament. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Execution_of_Charles_I.jpg)

William III of the House of Orange is Invited to Replace James II and is Crowned King of England

Feb 13, 1689

James II proved to be even more disliked than Charles II resulting in his eventual replacement.William III from the Netherlands was chosen to replace him by Parliament.James II fled and William took control as a co-monarch with his wife Mary II.They would bring a change to the role of the Monarch as they respected the right of Parliament to limit the role of the monarch.(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/William_III_of_England#/media/File:King_William_III_of_England,_(1650-1702)_(lighter).jpg)

The Bill of Rights 1689 is Passed and officially limits the power of the Monarch

Dec 16, 1689

The passing of the Bill officially limited the power of the King and forced him to work through Parliament and not despite it. It finally ended any chance of an absolute monarchy in England. It was passed with the Blessing of William III and Mary II. Both were from the Netherlands where the government is a Republic and the Nobles only have limited power subject to the Republic. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689.jpg)