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Period: 1566 to
Reign of James VI and I
Seen as a tyrant and dictator by the public. His reign as one of the most notorious example of abuse of power in English monarch history with his concept of Divine Rights led to a strong distaste for monarchic power among the English public, which eventually led to calls for reform in the late 17th century. -
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Reign of King Charles I
As the immediate successor of James VI and I, Charles was known for his conflict with the Parliament, which saw his actions, especially religiously and economically, as a disrespect towards Parliament's power. As a result, the Parliament sought to bring future changes to keep the King in check. -
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Oliver Cromwell
A famous Puritan and military leader elected to Parliament, he amassed a powerful force behind him to fight against the royalists and the throne during the English Civil War and tipped the balance of power in the Parliament's favor and forced Charles I to abdicate his throne, setting the stage for change a few decades later. -
The Great Remonstrance
Parliament document presented to King Charles complaining about his policies and suggested ways of change. This is the period of time where England really started to take actions of reform to try to shift away from absolutism. -
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Political Instability
Political instability that lasted from the end of the English Civil War to the eventual beginning of the Glorious Revolution severely weakened any monarch's hold on power. During this short three decades, England switched from a republic back to monarchic power in Charles II and later James II, and any change in government/leadership will cause weakened politics that sets the stage for change. -
Glorious Revolution
A series of events that eventually led to the non-violent overthrow of James II and VII of England, succeeded by Queen Mary and her husband. Although this seemed like another transition of monarchic power, this revolution severely weakened the English monarch's power as most of this transition was controlled by the public and the Parliament. -
Creation of the English Bill of Rights
Officially ended absolute monarchy in England and established a Constitutional Monarchy bound of the law and the Parliament. It facilitated new principles of frequent parliament, free elections, and freedom of speech within the Parliament that reformed the English government.
