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7 Reasons for Limited Monarchy in England
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Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was a major landmark in portraying the national sentiment towards the monarch. Up to the level of Parliament, there was a growing concern for the safety of individual rights, and the petition clearly addresses these concerns. As a whole, the document shows the nation seeking to limit the monarch's absolutism, and to gain more control over their government. Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petition_of_Right.jpg -
The Grand Remonstrance
The Grand Remonstrance, not far from the Petition of Right, was a list of Grievances coming from Parliament (and presumably the masses) for the King to address. Unlike the Petition of Right, the Remonstrance cast a blame on the clergy members in Parliament and the rest of the government, as well as the king. This not only challenged the monarch's absolutism, but also challenged the clergy's involvement in the government. Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Villiers_Duk -
Habeus Corpus Act of 1679
The Habeus Corpus Act was a direct blow to the King's absolutist practices at the time. One of the main complaints of English citizens, as mentioned in the Petition of Right, was the increase in unlawful detainment. People were being arrested, "tried," and imprisoned with little to no valid or credible evidence, clearly going against habeus corpus. The act served to bolster the regulation and enforcement of habeus corpus. Image Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lee_(English_judge) -
James II's Large Army During Peace
James II held a large military in peace, despite the wishes of the public and Parliament. The army was comprised of Catholics, and seemed to be a potential threat/a way to absolutism. While having this army, James dismissed Parliament, and lost a good deal of support. Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toy_Soldiers_British_Coldstream_Guards.jpg -
Birth Of James Stuart
One of the reasons James II remained king despite his Catholicism was the fact that he had no sons, and only Protestant daughters. When James Stuart, a Catholic, was born, England had to face the prospect of a Catholic succession to the throne. There was a general sentiment againsts such a succession, and the Glorious Revolution soon followed as a result. The birth of James was really an impetus for England to speed up its verdict on the monarchy at present. Image Source:
http://commons.wiki -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was the key turning point that officially established the switch in English monarchical power. At the end of the "bloodless" ovethrow, William and Mary were the new rulers of the country, but to a new degree. These two leaders signified the new era of limited English monarchy. Image Source: http://www.hrp.org.uk/learninganddiscovery/Discoverthehistoricroyalpalaces/monarchs/williamIIImaryII.aspx?StartTrail=true -
English Bill of Rights Ratification
(In December, not necessarily the first)
The English Bill of Rights was one of the first pieces of legislation that explicitly reduced the power of the monarch. It defined the English citizens rights, which were to be protected by the government, and put the Parliament above the monarch in superiority. After the Bill of Rights, the monarch essentially reported to Parliament before doing anything. Image Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689_(middle).jpg
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