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Jun 15, 1215
Signing of the Magna Carta
In a meeting between King John of England and a group of rebellious barons John agreed to a number of provisions that limited his absolute power and started England on the path to the idea of power sharing and away from absolute monarchy. -
King Charles i storms the House of Commons
In an unprecedented breach of parliamentary privilege King Charles i stormed the House of commons with a compliment of armed guards to arrest several members of parliament. The MPs managed to escape and this would lead to Civil War. This event is so crucial to the parliamentary development of England that it is reenacted at the start of every new parliament in the UK and no English monarch has set foot in the House of Commons since. -
English Civil War
This conflict pitted those who favored Parliamentarian rule against those who favored absolute monarchy. This conflict would decide the form of English government and steer its political course for years to come. -
Execution of Charles i
The execution of Charles i marked a turning point in English history. It was the first time in English history following the Norman conquest of England that a sitting monarch was executed. This forever cast in doubt the infallibility of the monarch and his divine right to rule in England as anyone that can be easily executed is no more chosen by god than any other man. -
End of the English Civil War
The conclusion of the English Civil war in a parliamentarian victory was crucial as a stepping stone on the way to limited monarchy. It firmly cemented the will of the parliament as a legitimate governing force. Although the Cromwell dictatorship would suppress it for a little while it was a step in the right direction to limited monarchy. -
End of the Cromwell dictatorship
Following Oliver Cromwell seizing power as dictator of England he dissolved parliament and installed an authoritarian government similar to that of the previous monarchy. After Oliver's death his son Richard Cromwell would succeed him and resign power ending the Cromwell dictatorship. With the passing of both Cromwells from power marked the end of the last absolute regime of England. -
Restoration of monarchy
The restoration of the monarchy represents the start of a period of English politics in which the form of government firmly moved towards parliamentarian government and power sharing. The restoration of the monarchy funnily enough represented the final rejection of the absolute authority of the monarch in favor of a power sharing constitutional monarchy.
