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Nov 11, 1534
Act of Supremacy
The “Reformation Parliament,” which convened in 1529, passed the Act of Supremacy (1534), which declared King Henry VIII supreme head of the Church of England. Not only did the monarch’s new powers lead to the religious conflicts during Europe’s transition to a limited monarchy, but it also was one of the first important showings of the power and influence Parliament could possess over the king. Image Source: http://queenanneboleyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Act-of-Supremacy.jpg -
James I Takes the Throne
James I, declared King of England in 1603, created hostilities with Parliament when he levied impositions (new custom duties) for revenue instead of consulting with Parliament first, which traditionally held the power of the purse. Parliament became hesitant to trust the monarchy and used these grievances as a reason to rebel against the King later.
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/King_James_I_of_England_and_VI_of_Scotland_by_John_De_Critz_the_Elder.jpg -
Petition of Rights
Parliament did not fund Charles I’s war with Spain because they distrusted the monarchy so greatly, so Charles turned to new revenues. Parliament decided they would grant Charles his money if he recognized the Petition of Rights. Charles consented, giving Parliament more power and weakening the monarchy.
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/King_Charles_I_after_original_by_van_Dyck.jpg -
Rebellion in Scotland
Charles and his high-church Archbishop William Laud tried to impose religious conformity over all of England and Scotland in 1637. Presbyterians Scots were especially angry and they rebelled against the king.
Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/William_Laud.jpg -
Battle of Newburn
In 1640, the Scots defeated Charles’s army at the Battle of Newburn. The King needed funds, and was forced to consent to Parliament’s terms to get it. The “Long Parliament” began, which radically increased Parliament’s power.
Image Source: https://community2.newcastle.gov.uk/bofn.nsf/sites/default/files/wwwimageroot/battlelines.gif -
Execution of Charles I
In 1649, after the English Civil War, Charles I was executed. Parliament abolished the monarch, but Parliament leader Oliver Cromwell crushed that hope by disbanding Parliament and ruling as Lord Dictator. Cromwell’s military dictatorship only affirmed for the English what they already believed: single rulers must be limited.
Image Source: http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/33/114533-004-24F50A6C.jpg -
The "Glorious Revolution"
In 1688, Prince William II of Orange, invited by Parliament, arrived in England with his army and Parliament declared him and his wife Mary the new monarchs. They likewise recognized a Bill of Rights that subjected the monarchy to the law and the consent of Parliament and guaranteed civil liberties to the privileged classes. This was the final step in creating a limited monarchy in England.
Image Source: http://www.thegloriousrevolution.org/images/dec_of_rights.jpg
