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James VI of Scotland takes the English Throne
James VI of Scotland ascends the throne of England after the death of Elizabeth I. He would become James I of England, and would face a deeply divided country on grounds of religion that threatened his authority. James was also incredibly corrupt in power, making the parliament and the people of England dissatisfied with the monarch's usage of power -
Charles I declares war on Spain
Charles I takes the throne after Henry I, and seeks to go to war against Spain due to continued religious turmoil within Europe. Parliament favored the war, but refused to finance it. This would cause Charles to dissolve Parliament and use illegitament means to obtain funds for the war, further upsetting the English people about the power of the monarchy. -
Long Parliament
After being dissolved in 1640, Charles I would have to reconvene Parliament in the same year after the Scots defeated England. The "Long Parliament" (1640 - 1660) was sick of Charles acting like a dictator, and brought up many grievances for Charles to deal with. Charles would try to attack his enemies in Parliament (and fail), resulting in the House of Commons passing the Militia Ordinance, allowing Parliament to raise it's own army, effectively forming a resistance against the king. -
English Civil War
From 1642 to 1646, Civil War would break out in England between King Charles I's supporters (Cavaliers) and Parliament (Roundheads). Due to both their alliance with Scotland and the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, Parliament would win against Charles I in the war. Charles I would be executed as a public enemy, and Parliament would dissolve the British monarchy and its extensions. -
Death of Oliver Cromwell and Restoration of the British Monarchy
After the monarchy was dissolved in England, Oliver Cromwell would take over as the leader of the country, establishing a military dictatorship, invading Ireland and Scotland while persecuting Catholics. By 1658, when Cromwell died, the English people were sick of his rule, and the country was ready to restore both the Monarchy and the Anglican Church by 1660. -
Charles II and James II
Both King Charles II and King James II would work to push forward better religious rights for Catholics in England and religious tolerance altogether. However, Parliament would not be happy by the way they tried to pass laws without using them, resulting in continuous conflicts between the Monarchy and Parliament that would pave the way for William of Orange to take power in England. -
The Glorious Revolution
In 1688, William of Orange would invade England on the guise of maintaining Protestantism within the country. Both his army and popular support would allow him to drive James II out of the country, taking the throne of England for himself. In 1689, he and his wife Mary of Orange would take the throne as William III and Mary II in an event known as the Glorious Revolution. William and Mary recognized a Bill of Rights that would subjugate the monarchy to rule by consent of the Parliament.