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Jul 24, 1567
James I takes the throne.
Prince James became King of Scotland on July 24, 1567, at the age of 13 months, after his mother Mary, Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate. Mary fled to England, where she was imprisoned for the next 19 years. His father, Lord Darnley, had died in mysterious circumstances shortly after James was born. James was formally crowned at the Church of the Holy Rood, Stirling on July 29, 1567. -
Petition of Right is signed.
This is a major English constitutional document that set out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. This document was produced by the english parliament after the English Civil War. It was passed by parliament in may, then given to Charles I to sign in June of 1628. This petition is most known for its confirmation of the principles that taxes can be levied only by parliament, that martial law may not be imposed in time of peace, etc. -
James II Comes to the Throne
He was king of england and ireland as James II, and scotland as James VII. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the kingdoms of england, scotland, and ireland. James is best known for his belief in absolute monarchy and his attempts to create religious liberty for his people. Both of these went against the wishes of English parliament and of most of his subjects. His reing resulted in the English bill of rights and hanoverian succession. -
English Civil War
This was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists. The first and second civil wars pitted the supporters of King Charles I against hte supporters of the Long Parliament, while the third war saw fighting between supports of King Charles II and supporters of the Rump Parliament. The civil war ended with the parliamentary victory at the battle of worcester of September 3, 1651. -
Oliver Cromwell Invades Ireland
Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army invaded ireland in order to re-conquer the country on behalf of the English Parliament. He signed alliance with the English Royalist party. He brought an end to the Irish Confederation Wars and also passed a series of Penal Laws against Roman Catholics. Although he is a hated figure in Ireland, he left successfully in 1650 with eastern and southern ireland. -
Charles I was tried for Treason and Hanged
Charles I was put on trial in London on this date. He was accused for being a "tyrant, traitor and murderer; and a public and implacable enemy to the Commonwealth of England." He was tried by 135 judges. In the end, he was announced to be put to death by severing of his head from his body. -
English Restoration
The english restoration started in the 1660's when the English, Scottish, and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II. On this date, Charles II issued the Declaration of Breda, which showed his acceptance of the crown of England. -
Habeas Corpus is passed
Habeas Corpus is a legal action that protects a person from harming themselves or from being harmed by the judicial system. It is an important instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary state action. Also known as "The Great Whit." The foundations for Habeas Corpus were found in the Magna Carta of 1215. However, it was first codified by the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679. -
Glorious Revolution
Also called the Revolution of 1688. The Glorious Revolution occurred in order for peasants to overthrow of King James II of England. Because he was being unfair and declared the official religion to be Catholicism, and acted as though Parliament were nothing. This angered the people and Parliament. The Glorious Revolution refers to the bloodless eviction of the King. -
The English Bill of Rights is signed.
William of Orange and his wife, Mary, were confirmed as co-rulers of England, but before this happened they accepted a Declaration of Right which was drawn up by Parliament.
The Declaration of Right was later embodied into English Law as "An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown" which was passed into law on this date.
