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Death of Elizabeth; ascension of James I to Englsh throne
Elizabeth I had been a beloved ruler. She was replaced by James I, who had a very different approach to leadership. He very rarely called Parliament to meet, creating frustration. He also exacerbated religious tensions in England, leading to a more fractured and divided society. These frustrations all lead to resentment of the monarchy. -
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The Short Parliament
Charles I called Parliament in order to procure funds for his war with Scotland. However, Parliament refused to even consider granting him funds until he agreed to redress a long list of grievances. Refusing to address these issues, Charles dissolved the Parliament. Although nothing was really accomplished during the Short Parliament, it had a significant impact on the road to limited monarchy. It heightened hatred of the monarchy and further portrayed it as out of touch and power hungry. -
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The Long Parliament
During this time, Parliament confronted Charles I with their complaints, resulting in the requirement Parliament meet at least every 3 years and that it had to give consent to dissolve. These actions gave Parliament more power, and made the monarch less of an absolute ruler.
However, Parliament was still deeply divided over religious issues. In October 1641, these divisions intensified, ultimately resulting in the English Civil War. -
Execution of Charles I
With the execution of Charles I, Parliament also abolished the monarchy, the House of Lords and the Anglican Church. This event launched England's experiment with republican government, with Oliver Cromwell as their leader. As we now know, this experiment would prove disastruous and eventually lead to reforms that created a limited monarchy. -
Charles II returns to England
After the disasterous rule of Oliver Cromwell, Charles II returned to England to restore the monarchy to its 1642 form. However, England had changed greatly since 1642. The people feared absolutism more than after Cromwell's rule and were incedibly suspicious of Charles II. English monarchy could not maintain its traditional form - people began to recognize that some limits would have to be put on monarchs' power. -
Posthumous execution of Oliver Cromwell
Although he had died of disease a year earlier, Oliver Cromwell's body was exhumed to be posthumously executed, as a symbolic event. Cromwell's reign caused the British people to fear absolute power but also to fear republican form of government. This would lead them to a compromise between the two - limited monarchy. -
English Bill of Rights
This document was the final and lasting step in creating a limited monarchy. After William and Mary were instated as monarchs, this bill placed limits on their power, such as free speech in Parliament, regular elections for Parliament and the ability to petition the monarchs.
