-
Oct 14, 1066
William the Conqueror establishes the Curia Regis
William began the tradition of the English monarch consulting a group of advisors before making laws when he established the Curia Regis, the precursor to the English Parliament, in 1066. The Curia Regis was based on the Witenagemot, the previous advisory group to the king. This reliance on an advisory body is the first step toward this body limiting the power of the monarchy. -
Jul 15, 1215
Signing of the Magna Carta
The signing of this document set multiple precedents for future governments, especially for the future of the English monarchy. First, the signing of the Magna Carta establishes that the king must consult the Parliamentary body for consent before levying taxes, the first legal limit on the king's power. Second, the document is the first major example of a written document limiting a ruler's power, and is a precursor to such documents as the Petition of Right and the English Bill of Rights. -
Period: to
The Reign of James I
James I, a self-proclaimed absolute monarch, was at odds with Parliament almost immediately upon his coronation. He superceded the authority of Parliamentary consent on monetary funds by instituting his own method of raising revenue: impositions. James's actions began a resentment between the suposed absolute monarch position and Parliament that would not end until the establishment of a solid limited monarchy. -
The Petition of Right
The Petition of Right is another example of Parliament's attempts to limit the power of the monarch limiting Charles I's power to tax outside of Parliament, imprison without cause, and enforce martial law. The Petition epitomized the tension and "tug-of-war" over power between Parliament and Charles I, with each one trying to gain the upper hand. This was the first contemporary attempt to limit the monarchy, and, though unsuccessful, provided a model for the successful Bill of Rights. -
Period: to
Reign of the Lord Protector
The Protectorate was an attempt at and English republic. Parliament was absolved, as was the monarchy and the Anglican Church. Stark Puritan militarism ruled with Oliver Cromwell at the head. This republican experiment made the English realiz that they needed the needed the political institutions that made them "English:" Parliament and the Monarchy. This led to the Restoration of the monarchy, as well as Parliament, which set the foundation for a limited monarchy agreement. -
Restoration of the Monarchy
The Restoration of the English monarchy was an important step in the establishment of a limited monarchy because it showed that the English needed a monarch as the head of their government despite past wrongs and bad behavior. A republic would not work, nor could Parliament rule on its own. A single head of state , or monarch, was necessary to rule the country and satisfy the people. -
Passing of the English Bill of Rights
This docment effectively established the limited monarchy in England. The Bill of Rights outlined restrictions on royal power, as well as requirements for the elections and procedures of Parliament. The Bill holds the English monarchs accountable to the law and protects Parliament from royal interference. By establishing clear powers for both the monarchy and Parliament, the Bill of Rights allowed for the establishment of a successful limited monarchy.
