Timeline to limited English Monarchy

By OwenM47
  • Jun 15, 1215

    Magna Carta is put in place

    Magna Carta is put in place
    The very first instance of a document stating that the monarch could not be an all-mighty god king who could do however they please, the Magna Carta established some of the first limits on the power of the English throne.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    Luther releases his Ninety-five Theses

    Luther releases his Ninety-five Theses
    Martin Luther, a German Monk, released his Ninety-five Theses, or issues with the Catholic Church. This sparked the protestant reformation, an event that would split Christianity in Europe, and lead to conflict in England that saw James II deposed years later, indirectly helping end limited monarchy.
  • Nov 3, 1534

    The English Reformation

    The English Reformation
    King Henry VIII, unable to divorce his wife due to the Roman Catholic Pope's ruling, split England from the papacy and established the English Church as the official religion in the country. This forever changed religion in England, a major factor in the Glorious Revolution.
  • Jul 19, 1553

    Lady Jane Grey is deposed

    Lady Jane Grey is deposed
    After being named successor to the throne by her younger cousin Edward VI before his premature death, Lady Jane Grey ascended to the English throne for a brief period. She was eventually deposed by supporters of Mary Tudor, which would officially set the course of the English monarchy all the way until James II, the king who saw the start of limited monarchy. If Lady Jane retained her power, the monarchy may have held onto power longer.
  • English Civil War begins

    English Civil War begins
    Although technically a series of wars, the English Civil War first saw fighting between the supporters of King Charles I and supporters of parliament. Since parliament supporters won at the end in 1651, the event saw real strives in bringing power from the throne to parliament itself.
  • The Glorious Revolution

    The Glorious Revolution
    Although not completely removing the monarch's absolute power, The Glorious Revolution saw King James II be overthrown and replaced with William and Mary. This gave much of the power in England to parliament.
  • English Bill of Rights is put in place

    English Bill of Rights is put in place
    The true nail in the coffin for absolute monarchy in England, the English Bill of Rights heavily limited the monarch's power and gave a lot of power to parliament and the people.