The Development of Limited Monarchy in England

By jchandra42
  • Jan 1, 1215

    The Magna Carta is signed

    The Magna Carta is signed
    Feudal barons, precursors to the nobles who would comprise the Parliament, push King John into a signing a treatise that limited his power. The document itself foreshadowed increasing parliamentary power and future repression of absolute rule.

  • England goes to war with Spain

    England goes to war with Spain
    Representing early Parliamentary power, pressures from the Parliament, who had disapproved of James I's perceived pro-Catholic tendencies and corrupt policies, instigated another war with Spain, historical enemies who had recently been allies with England. Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buttersworth_-_flying_cloud.jpg

  • The Petition of Right is signed by Charles I

    The Petition of Right is signed by Charles I
    Though Charles I dubiously followed the agreement, the written establishment that Parliament control taxes and othe aspects that gave them more technical power was a precursor to greater powers of Parliament. image source: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/File:Petition_of_Right.jpg

  • The Long Parliament

    The Long Parliament
    Throughout its duration, Parliament gained more powers, including consent requirements for taxation as well as regular meeting times and immunity from being dissolved. This in turn caused civil strife to occur between the restricted king and the empowered Parliament. image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CromwellDissolvingLongParliament.jpg

  • Execution of Charles I

    Execution of Charles I
    Charles I, the ruling monarch, is executed, This allows for a parliamentary controlled republic, led by Oliver Cromwell,to come into session until 1660. Although this rule was short-lived it showed the peak of the Parliament's power, ruling in place of a monarch. image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_I_(Daniel_Mytens).jpg

  • Parliament invites William of Orange to invade England

    Parliament invites William of Orange to invade England
    Kicking off the Glorious Revolution, this event signified the power and the autonomy of the Parliament to go against the whims of the king. image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wenceslas_Hollar_-_William_of_Orange_(State_1).jpg

  • The Bill of Rights recognized

    The Bill of Rights recognized
    By the end of the Glorious Revolution, William III and Mary II, the ruling monarchs, ratified a bill that stated that English monarchs would be bound by law and rule by CONSENT of the Parliament, for which it was reaffirmed to convene every three years. image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bill_of_Rights.jpg