Royal Power and Conflict Timeline

Elizabeth I

1558

In 1558 Elizabeth became the Queen of England. During her reign, England was the leader of the Protestant nations of Europe and set the foundation for the world’s empire. There was a new Act of Supremacy which named Elizabeth “the only supreme governor” of both the church and the state. She was also ruler when Spain Attacks England and Phillip II was ruler of Spain at the time. Elizabeth inherited the throne from her half sister Mary I.

Edict of Nates

1598

The Edict of Nates was brought to France in 1598 to put an end to the fighting from the French Wars of Religion. It made Catholicism the official religion of France. It also gave Huguenots the right to follow their own religion. The edict helped both the Catholics and the Huguenots.

Time of Troubles

1598

The Time of Troubles was in 1598. This time was called the Time of Troubles because of the bad things Ivan did including stabbing his son. Which is how he got the name Ivan the Terrible.

Thirty Years War

1618

In 1618 war broke out between Catholic forces and Protestants. This was caused by The Peace of Augsburg because it did not put an end to the religious disputes because it did not recognize Calvinism. There were also political and territorial motives to this war. The Peace of Westphalia ended the fighting.

Cardinal Richelieu

1624

Cardinal Richelieu became chef minister to Louis XIII in 1624. He was known as “architect of French absolutism.” He also weakened the power of the nobles. He built a large bureaucracy staffed by commoners loyal to the king.

Petition of Right

1628

The Petition of Right was passed in 1628. The Petition of Right put limits on the ability of the King to tax, put people in prison without a reason, and quarter troops. Charles later ignored the rules that limited his power.

Frederick William the Great Elector

1640

Frederick William began his reign in 1640. He built the foundation of Prussia. He also built a very large army because of how small Prussia was. Frederick set up the General War Commissariat to higher the taxes, so the army had more money and also to watch its growth.

Oliver Cromwell

1642

Oliver Cromwell was a Puritan and also an important member of the Parliament. He was a General in the English Civil War. During the English Civil War in 1642 the Cavaliers and the Roundheads fought each other because of the complaints that people had about King Charles I. Charles was proven as a tyrant and was beheaded in 1649. This was the first execution of a ruler by his people.

English Commonwealth

1649

English Commonwealth was passed in 1649. The English Commonwealth is a nation or a state that is founded on law and a united agreement for the people by the people. The execution of the King was so horrific to the people so the Parliament declared England a commonwealth republic.

Restoration

1660

In 1660 Charles II restored the monarchy after Cromwell’s death. Restoration is the period of time when they restored the monarchy. The parliament continued to have most of the power and had an important role in the government. Due to Charles II dying without a heir, The War of Spanish Succession happened in order to find the new king. They later crowned James II as king.

Louis XIV

1661

In 1661 Louis XIV took over Supreme power after the death of Cardinal Mazarin. He desired to be a real king and the only ruler of France. He had control over the central policy-making machinery of government. Louis removed nobles from the royal council. Louis pursued an anti-Protestant policy. He had the services of Jean Baptiste Colbert as controller-general of finances. Louis also was part of the building of Versailles.

Test Act

1673

The Test Act was passed in 1673. The Test Act was passed by Parliament. It said that only the Anglicans could hold the military and civil offices. Parliament did not like the suspending of laws so they forced the king to back down.

Glorious Revolution

1688

The Glorious Revolution occurred in 1688. During the revolution James I retreated back to London where he told his wife and son to go to France where he would later have joined them. Then London realized that they had a problem because they didn’t have a monarch anymore. So they decided to give the throne to William and Mary.

Peter the Great

1689

In 1689 Peter the Great began his reign. He was a Russian czar. Peter made many changes to the governments, schools, and the churches. He created the Table of Ranks which was a modified status of nobility. He also made a rule where property of any landowner was hereditary rather than depend on the service of the czar. Peter choose the best candidates not based on their social class levels. Peter also was part of the building of St. Petersburg.

English Bill of Rights

1763

The English Bill of Rights was created in 1763. The English Bill of Rights was all of the documents that William and Mary had to sign in order to be crowned. These documents made sure that Parliament had more power than the monarchs did. It also brought along the Toleration Act of 1689.