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The Anglo Spanish War (1585-1604)
The Anglo-Spanish War, fought between Protestant England and Catholic Spain, started under Queen Elizabeth I and continued into the early 1600s. The war caused significant financial strain on England, forcing the monarchy to rely heavily on Parliament for approving funds to support military expenses. This reliance increased Parliament's power, marking the start of the process to limit the monarchy’s control over finances and policies. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Invincible_Armada.jpg -
The Thirty Years War (1618-1648)
The limited involvement of England during the Thirty Years War exposed Charles I’s reliance on Parliament for funding during times of war. Parliament’s refusal to fully support his campaigns to help the Protestants showed their growing control over the monarchy’s ability to wage war.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=Thirty+years+war&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image -
The English Civil War (1642-1651)
The English Civil War was an important conflict between King Charles I (Cavaliers) and Parliament (Roundheads). The victory of Parliament and the execution of the king demonstrated that the monarchy could not govern without the help of parliament, this was an important step in limiting the royal authority.
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Naseby.jpg -
Execution of King Charles I
The execution of King Charles I was an important event that sen shockwaves across the European continent. It showed that a king could in fact be held accountable by his subjects. It marked the rejection of an absolute monarchy while laying the foundation for a government where Parliament had greater power.
Image soucre: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/The_execution_of_King_Charles_I_from_NPG.jpg -
The Restoration of the English Monarchy
When the monarchy was restored under the reign of King Charles II, the power of Parliament was significantly heightened. This was because of the precedents that were set during the Civil War, establishing more authority for parliament. The Restoration highlighted that the monarchy could not govern without the consent of Parliament, strengthening the concept of a constitutional monarchy.
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_II_of_England_in_Coronation_robes.jpg -
The Exclusion Crisis (1679-1681)
The Exclusion Crisis was a conflicting struggle between the Parliament and the monarchy over royal succession. Parliament’s attempt to exclude James, Duke of York, from the throne reinforced their authority in England, showing their role in determining succession and limited royal power.
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Charles_II_by_John_Michael_Wright_or_studio.jpg -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution got rid of King James II and made William and Mary co monarchs. This event led to the Bill of Rights later on, which established a greater parliamentary supremacy over the monarchy and marked the transition to a constitutional monarchy in England, limiting the existing monarchy. Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_of_Orange_III_and_his_Dutch_army_land_in_Brixham,_1688.jpg
