-
Period: to
Reign of James I
James I frequently clashed with Parliament over his strong belief in divine right and their differences regarding religion, money and foreign policy. Parliament attempted to control his access to money, but James I avoided this by taking money from specific individuals. -
Period: to
Reign of Charles I
Charles I was not well-liked, as he dissolved Parliament, persecuted Puritans, and caused a civil war in England. He was eventually tried and beheaded, which was the first time a ruling monarch had been executed this way. The Petition of Right limited his power by listing what a monarch could and could not do, and although Charles I was forced to sign it he essentially ignored it. -
Period: to
Reign of Oliver Cromwell (Commonwealth)
During this period of time, there was no English monarch and instead Oliver Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector. He assisted with the execution of Charles I, and men under him known as levelers claimed all men had the right to vote and that titles of nobility should be abolished. He had the power to call and dissolve Parliaments but obliged to seek the majority vote of the Council of State. -
Period: to
Reign of Richard Cromwell (Commonwealth)
The son of Oliver Cromwell, who ruled only nine months before being coerced into resigning. The lack of unity under his rule eventually destroyed the Protectorate as Richard was unable to control the army or manage Parliament as his father had done, and after his reign a much weaker version of the monarchy is restored. -
Period: to
Reign of Charles II
Charles II was asked to come back after being exiled to France. As he had lived in France for so long he was very Catholic and pressed for religious toleration. Parliament attempts to pass the Test Act under him, which would ban any non-Anglicans from holding a seat in Parliament or in any other government position. This was done to prevent James II from becoming king. -
Period: to
Reign of James II
James II abdicates from the throne in 1688, as he is Catholic and not wanted as the monarch of England. He flees to France and William and Mary take over in an event known as the Glorious Revolution. -
William and Mary assume the throne
When William and Mary ascend to the British throne, they are forced to sign the English Bill of Rights, which limited the power of the crown and ensures Parliament rules over the monarchy.
