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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta agreed upon
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta#/media/File:John,_Magna_Carta.jpg
English nobles discontent with the rule of King John confronted him with their demands in the Magna Carta that their rights should be protected. John accepted but later disobeyed it, leading to war between him and the nobles. This set the precedent for England's nobles to work together to check the power of the king. Also, the nobles were willing to fight to hold onto their power. -
Nov 13, 1295
Model Parliament convened
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_I,_Westminster_Abbey.jpg
King Edward I of England called the Model Parliament, the first parliament with representatives. It set a precedent for what the form of the parliament would be like, making it a more formalized institution. Parliament would need such organization to become the powerful political body that it would be in the future. Also, it introduced the influence of non noble representatives on government. -
James I declares war on Spain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_I_of_England_Schloss_Ambras.jpg
This demonstrated that the king could bend to pressures by Parliament, as they supported the war, but he had Catholic sympathies and earlier wanted peace with Catholic Spain. This war was inherited by his son Charles I, and the financial troubles from its cost would begin the conflicts between Charles I and Parliament which challenged Charles's power. -
The Bishops' Wars begin
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Royal_Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Kingdom_of_Scotland.svg
These were wars between England (under Charles I) and Scotland. The expense of this warfare, especially because the Scots saw successes, forced Charles I to convene the Long Parliament and depend on them, as he needed them for funds. This put Parliament in a position to make demands on Charles I, asserting their power over him. -
English Civil War begins
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Execution_of_Charles_I_of_England.jpg
This war between King Charles I and Parliament proved that Parliament was willing to act autonomously and use force to oppose the king. With Charles's defeat and execution, Parliament was in control of England, giving it power over any future monarch it permitted. -
Oliver Cromwell dies
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_Cromwell_by_Samuel_Cooper.jpg
After the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell ruled as the despotic and despised Lord Protector. The power of the Protectorate was lost when he died, so it quickly dissolved. This allowed for the restoration of the monarchy going forward. This demonstrated that England wanted a return to the stability of monarchy, but did not want a ruler with absolute power. -
William III and Mary II agree to the English Bill of Rights
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689.jpg
As part of the deal of the Glorious Revolution, England's new monarchs agreed to the rules in the Bill of Rights. It limited their powers and asserted that the monarch rules under the consent of Parliament, which would be held regularly. It largely finalized the concept that England would be ruled by a constitutional monarchy.
