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1215
Magna Carta
The signing of Magna Carta marks a challenge to royal power. When the subjects of King John forced him to sign the document that entailed protection of church rights, protection from illegal imprisonment, and other individual freedoms, it signified that English people had rights that royal folk like King's couldn't infringe upon. -
1215
Establishment of Parliament
Parliament was created to help legislate the kingdom of England and to assist kings in their rulings. Eventually parliament became a force that challenged the King/Queen's rulings ad established public rights. -
1534
Acts of Supremacy
These acts passed by the Parliament of England signified Henry VIII supreme head of the church of England, pleasing Catholics and Puritans who didn't feel comfortable with monarch being head of the state and head of religion. -
Petition of Right
This petition shows how the establishment of parliament would infringe of monarch power. The petition asked King Charles I to recognize they would no longer stand for taxation not approved by parliament, imprisonment without any cause, the quartering of soldiers on subjects, and curb martial law in peacetime. This also shows how the attempts to limit monarchial power would throw a spoke in the wheel of possible absolutism. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was the overthrow of King James II of England. This change in monarch (King James II to Queen Mary and King William) would change the governing of England to give more power to parliament and pave the way for political democracy. -
English Bill of Rights
The passing of the English Bill of Rights, as signed by William and Mary, declared parliament's power more significant than that of the king's. The document stated clear limitations of royalty. This signified the confirmation of Parliament's ideas that monarch should hold limited power. -
Act of Settlement
The Act of Settlement settled the succession to the English (and Irish) crowns on Protestant only. This better secured the rights of the subjects of England, limiting monarchial power among the people.