Seven Steps to Limited Monarchy

First English Parliament Established

Jan 1, 1265

The first Parliament was established in England in 1265 by Simon De Montfort.The first Parliament was important because it not only broadened representation to include new groups of society, but it was also the first time that commoners attending Parliament were required to be elected. The establishment of the first Parliament proved that monarchy needed to be limited and people needed more representation, including the commoners.

Petition of Right was passed

Jun 7, 1628

The Petition of Right was a document drafted by Parliament for the King that detailed all of the issues and concerns of the people of England. The Petition of Right led to a limited monarchy because it marked an unbelievable cooperative work between individual members of Parliament and between the Commons and the Lords, which the country had previously lacked. Parliament and the Commons and Lords were able to work together showing how the people were becoming outspoken against absolutism.

The Grand Remonstrance

Dec 1, 1641

The Grand Remonstrance was drafted by the English Parliament because of Charles I. The document addressed many grievances against Charles I. Parliament listed grievances that included unlawful taxes, high tariffs, Charles’ foreign policies, financial policies, etc. There were 204 grievances in total. Parliament is represented by and stands for the people, and since the English people were so upset with all of Charles' injustices, it revealed their desire for a limited monarchy.

English Civil War Begins

Jan 1, 1642

The English Civil Wars were a series of armed conflicts and political machinations. It was fought between two opposing sides: Parliament (Parliamentarians) and numerous English kings (Royalists). The English Civil War proved that both Charles and the Parliament could no longer negotiate. It limited the English monarchy because it resulted in the creation of The Commonwealth.

Execution of Charles I

Jan 30, 1649

Charles I was the last king in England that attempted to completely control Parliament. The people of England accused him of being a murderer and a traitor. He was executed for all the crimes that he committed as King of England. After he was executed, England decided to experiment with a Republican form of government, which proved to be a huge transition from being ruled by a ruthless monarch to having a say in government. The Council of State was established instead of a monarchy.

Glorious Revolution Begins

Jan 1, 1688

This revolution marked the overthrow of King James II of England by the English Parliamentarians as well as the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau. The Glorious Revolution led to a limited monarchy because William took over the provisional government by appointment of the peers of the realm. When William and Mary were declared monarchs, the monarchy was still limited in England by Parliament, and by the people. It eventually led to the creation of the English Bill of Rights.

English Bill of Rights Passed

Dec 16, 1689

When William III and Mary II took the English throne, they recognized and agreed to abide by the English Bill of Rights. The English Bill of Rights forbade the use of royal prerogative rights that Charles and James had unfairly exercised in the past. The English Bill of Rights provided that the power to suspend and dispense with laws was declared illegal. Elections to Parliament were to be free of royal interference. All of these factors limited the monarchy in England.