Seven Steps to Limited Monarchy

  • Jun 15, 1215

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta
    When King John of England was overlooking his subjects' rights some nobles forced him to sign the Magna Carta. This document limited the king's power and protected to rights of the people. It was the first step towards England's limited monarchy because it protected the privileges of the people while limiting the monarch's control over them. Image Sourc:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AJohn%2C_Magna_Carta.jpg
  • Jan 1, 1265

    First Parliament

    First Parliament
    The first form of Parliament that is similar to the modern Parliament was when De MOntfort gathered a group of men against Henry III. The men he gathered were members of the Great Council and other representatives from cities and towns across England, which is very similar to the Parliament we know today that limits the power of the monarchs. Image Source:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AA_Chronicle_of_England_-_Page_242_-_Henry_III_and_His_Parliament.jpg
  • Nov 17, 1558

    Reign of Queen Elizabeth I

    Reign of Queen Elizabeth I
    During Queen Elizabeth's rule she created a good relationship between the monarchy and Parliament at the time. She allowed Parliament to take part in government matters, which made her a limited monarch. She wasn't completely ruling England by herself because she had Parliament helping her. Her people became used to the idea that the monarchy didn't have absolute control and when that changed they grew upset. Image Source:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AQueen_Elizabeth_I_by_George_Gow
  • Petition of Right

    Petition of Right
    It was a list of grievances that were broken by the king. King Charles was forcing people to pay extra taxes or loans in order to pay for a war when Parliament wouldn't give him the funds. Parliament wasn't pleased that the king was breaking the limit that was set on monarchs by taxing people. Parliament created this document to ensure that the king wouldn't ignore the rights of his subjects again. Image Source:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APetition_of_Right.jpg
  • The English Civil War

    The English Civil War
    Charles I was trying to rule England himself, without the help of Parliament. Some people weren't pleased by this because they were afraid of having an absolute monarch who would ignore their rights. They wanted Parliamnet to contribute to the government so their voices could be heard. Some sided with the king while others sided with Parliament. In the end Parliament won and with the victory they made sure there would be a limited monarchy. Image Source:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3
  • Glorious Revolution

    Glorious Revolution
    When James II became king he wanted to be an absolute monarch which Parliament didn't want. They didn't want one monarch to have so much power so they overthrew James II and in his place ruled Mary II and William III. This led to a limited monarchy because it brought laws like the Act of Settlement and the Bill of Rights which limited the power of the monarchy. Image Source:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWilliam_and_Mary_cropped.jpg
  • Bill of Rights

    Bill of Rights
    This document limited the monarch's powers by allowing Parliament to have a say in government decisions. It also gave Parliament permission to petition the king without fear of retaliation from the monarch. They could now do whatever they wanted without getting in trouble with the king. It was a step in the direction of more power in the Parliament and less power in the monarchy. Image Source:
    http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AEnglish_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689_(middle).jpg