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King Henry I reigned in an era in which tension between the monarchy and the Anglo-Saxon nobility tightened. In an attempt to ease the dissident of the Saxons, Henry I established the Charter of Liberties, which provided among various amendments the nobles rights to inheritance and marriage without the interference of the king. This became the foundation of future constitutional law in England http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Henry_I_of_England'
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The Magna Carta was a document forced upon King John "Lackland" of England by the English barons. Through his abuse of taxes and loss of land in France, With the support of the French Dauphin and the King of Scotland, the barons entered London with the citizen's support. The Magna Carta limited the rights of the monarch and gave the nobility and clergy various liberities and checks against the king;s power http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/John,_Magna_Carta.jpg
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Although Parliament was informally established its expansion in importance is seen in the reign of King Edward I. In his ambition to unite the entire island of Britain under his rule, Edward I needed support and finance. Thus, to gain the support of the people, he strenghened the power of the House of Commons, giving them full say in politics . http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medieval_Parliament_of_England.png'
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The House of Commons became distressed over King Charles I's abuse of taxation and martial law. The House send a petition of grievances to Charles concerning his actions. Although Charles did comply, he soon dissolved Parliament, causing the foundation to the conflict known as the English Civil War http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/11/Petition_of_Right.jpg
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The English Civil War was a result of the ongoing struggle between the forces of the absolutist monarchy and the Parliament. Naseby was the decisive victory for the Parliamentary forces, which would as a consequence bring along Parliament's superiority over the future kings of England, and saw an expansion of the House of Commons. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:After_the_Battle_of_Naseby_in_1645.jpg
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William and Mary were invaded England and disposed the Catholic king James I after being invited by Parliament. Under their reign the English Bill of Rights was signed granting Parliament supermacy over taxing and military decisions. The Bill of Rights in addition ensured that no further king would be Catholic and gave Protestants rights at the expense of the Catholic minority http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bill_of_Rights_1689
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The Act of Settlement furthered the restriction of the monarchy after the Glorious Revolution. It provided that all members of Parliament cannot have held an office or recieved pension from the monarchy in order to avoid royal influence. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Act_of_Settlement_3323.jpg
