-
1215
The Signing of the Magna Carta
Following his excommunication by the Pope, King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta, establishing the English Parliament and giving up power to some upper-class interests. -
1485
The End of the War of the Roses
With the Battle of Bosworth Field, the three-decade long brutal War of the Roses finally comes to an end. The Tudors, not even considered a contender when the war began, have come out on top although at the cost of a massive loss of prestige and respect for the institution of the English Monarchy. -
1533
Henry VIII Declares the Church of England
In a decision that would remain controversial for centuries, King Henry VIII of the Tudor Dynasty would sever ties with the Pope and declare himself the head of the Church of England in order to get a divorce. Many, both protestant and Catholic, would come to vehemently oppose this decision. -
Start of the English Civil War
Parliamentarians led by Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell declare an open rebellion against the rule of King Charles I. -
Execution of King Charles I
Oliver Cromwell's forces preside over the trial and execution of King Charles I for his perceived slights and aggression towards parliament and the English people. This formally establishes the necessity of approval from parliament in British governance. -
The Establishment of the Commonwealth of England
Led by Oliver Cromwell and a theoretical parliamentarian government, the Commonwealth stood as England's first non-monarchical system of governance in centuries. -
The Restoration of the Monarchy and the Signing of the Declaration of Breda
After the fall of Cromwell's regime, King Charles II (Charles I's son) was instated as King but only on the terms that he agreed to binding legislation that was passed by the English Parliament.
