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James I Comes into Power
Elizabeth I was the "Virgin Queen" and produced no heirs. Therefore, King James VI of Scotland attained power of the English throne under the name of King James I. His 22 year ruling over England, Ireland, and Scotland became known as the Jacobian area, which resulted in an increased national debt in England, as well as multiple revolts - the most notible the Gunpowder Plot. James died of dysentery in 1625 at the age of 50. -
Queen Elizabeth I Dies
Queen Elizabeth I dies after having control of the English throne for 44 years. After taking power from her tyrant sister, Mary Tudor (otherwise known as Bloody Mary), Elizabeth provided stability for England in a time of staunch religious intolerance. She is a rare female monarch because of how she exercised her power. She was politically cunning, persuasive, and careful with finances. -
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Growing Power of the House of Commons
The House of Commons was responsible for the state's finances. It's member became very rich during the sale of monasteries and monastic land. Investments and advancements in technology made landowners very wealthy. Infact, it was said the House could "buy the House of the Lords three times over". With a new House that is more wealthy and educated, the House of Commons had more power and say in the government and could control what they wanted through finances. -
The Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot was an assasination attempt which took place under the ruling of king James I, with the intent to install his Catholic daughter, Elizabeth, upon the throne, thus ending Protestant ruling in England for a time. Conspirators wished to blow up the king, as well as everyone attending Houses of Parliament. Before the bomb was to go off, however, one of the head conspirators Guy Fawkes, was captured invading the castle and tortured. He and his cohorts were executed in 01/1606. -
King James I Disbands Parliment
King James I disbands Parliment to ensure a more absolutist ruling. This will happen again several times in the future, especially with King Charles I who will disband and reband parliament three times before his eventual beheading for treason. -
Charles I Comes into Power
England feared Charles I for his sympathies to Roman Catholicism; they feared England would be Catholic again. While being intelligent, Charles' dishonesty and shrewdness caused major problems between him and Parliament. In fact, Charles disbanded Parliament for 11 years and financed the government through what was considered illegal means. He was considered a tryranical monarch part of the absolutist age. He was the monarch during England's Civil War and was later executed for treason. -
Charles I Disbands Parliament
Again with the ruling of King Charles I, Parliament is disbanded after it refuses to grant him Tonnage and Poundage rights; imposes forced loans. Further disagreements with Parliament causes it to be shut down for 11 years. -
King Charles I Disbands Parliment (Again)
King Charles dissolves Parliament and begins an 11-year Personal Rule (Also called the 11 Year Tyranny). Parliament and he disagreed over his right to collect customs duties on wine and wool. He will disband parliament a third time before the end of his rule. -
Triennal Act is Passed
Parliament did not meet for 11 years under the reign of Charles I. Later, the "Long Parliament" which sat for 20 years put restrictions on the monarchy and helped arbitrary government. The passed the Triennal Act in their first year which forced the king to summon Parliament every three years for atleast 50 days. -
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English Civil War
A war between the Parlimentarians and the Royalists which ended at the Battle of Worcesterther and later the beheading of King Charles I and the banishment of his son, Charles II. From the Parliamentist victory, England became established as a Republican Commonwealth with Oliver Cromwell as its head. Cromwell was heralded as a man who implemented a military-dictator like style of ruling. -
Navigation Acts
[Exact dates unknown] The Navigation Acts were a series of acts enforced later under Cromwell that required English goods to be transported only on English ships. It improved the Engish merchant marine so much that it rivaled the Dutch for some time. The acts were a cause for the American Revolution since the colonies did not link having to only get sugar, molasses, et cetera from England only. -
Oliver Cromwell's Rule
Since the army ruled after the execution of Charles I and banishment of Charles II, Cromwell was chosen to lead since he led the army. His rule is described as a military dictatorship. Originally planned with a constitution, Cromwell decided to go his own way with out a Parliament. He controlled many aspects from the press to entertainment. He went to war against the Irish which still holds resentment today. He died in 1658. -
Richard Cromwell's Rule
Oliver Cromwell's son, Richard took over after his father's death. However, England was sick of the military dictatorship and wanted to return to common law and the monarchy. He was removed in under nine months, therefore named "Tumbledown Dick". He is pointless. -
Charles II Officially Comes into Power
Charles II returned from exile to claim the throne. Learning from his predecesors, Charles II was initially indifferent and tried to get along with Parliament. He set the idea for the cabinet advisors in government. His good relations with Parliament ended when he was caught making secret negotiations with Catholic France becasue Parliament would not fund him. He dissolved Parliament before they could stop his plans and James II took over. He is from the Restoration period. -
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English Restoration
The English Restoration spanned from the Charles II to James II, brothers who both who united England, Ireland, and Scotland under one monarch until James was forcibly removed from power by the Glorious Revolution. Notible happenings of James/Charles' rulings included the reinstatement of The Church of England as the national church, the renouncement of anyone knighted under the reign of Cromwell (later reinstated by Charles II), and create the Cavalier Parliament, which would last for 17 years -
Triennal Parliaments Act of 1664
This act repealed the orginal act that forced monarchs to call Parliament together every three years. This act still kept the rule but did not have any measures to enforce it. Therefore, Charles II could spend his last four years without having to call Parliament. -
Test Acts
[Exact dates unkown] The Test Act was a series of tests in 1673 that sought Protestant religous uniformity. If you could not prove your allegiance to the Church of England you could not hold public office, preach, or teach. One had to recieve the Eucharist from the Church of England as a precondition to holding these postions. -
James II Comes Into Power
James II was Charles II's Catholic brother. He came under the deal Charles II secretly made with France that would re-Catholize England in exchange for money. He immediately appointed Roman Catholic people in office in violation of the Test Acts. He produced a male heir, making it seem a Catholic dynasty was inevitable, which was a cause for Revolution that led to William and Mary. -
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The Glorious Revolution
Also sometimes known, rather innacurately, as The Bloodless Revolution, The Glorious Revolution began with the intent to pull King James II off the throne to replace him with the royal monarchs of Mary and William. Of all people, British Catholics suffered most heavily from the ending of the Revolution as for the next century they were not allowed to vote, hold office, or serve in the military, or marry nobles, instilling Protestantism as the major religion of the crown. -
William III and Mary II Come into Power
Parliament offered the monarchy to William and Mary, who co-reigned England as a couple. James II had fled to France. This reign was notable in that it gave the monarchy and Parliament shared power so that the king or queen would rule only with the consent of Parliament/the people.
