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Period: 1200 to
English Limited Monarchy
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was one of the first documents to formally limit the king's rule as it stated that the even the king is subject to the law. It also guaranteed certain rights of free people that could not be impeded on. This provided a basis of rights that was later expanded by the Bill of Rights. -
Jun 15, 1215
Creation of Parliament
Along with the Magna Carta came a new council called Parliament. This law making body has changed throughout history but has always served the purpose of acting as a check on the royal power. It has the right to make laws and enforce them. -
Recognition of the Petition of Right
This document was made in response to Charles I levying and collecting taxes without the consent of Parliament. Parliament forced Charles I to sign this bill so that Parliament could retain the power of the purse and establish some civil liberties such as not imprisoning a freeman without due cause. Charles I would only receive funding for a war if he had signed the petition which gave Parliament even more power over the monarchy. -
Long Parliament
The Long Parliament was a period of time where Parliament met for a long time and was vastly supported. It abolished courts that had enforced royal policies, decided that Parliament must meet every three years, and executed two royally appointed officials. By doing this, Parliament showed the people and the king that it still had power over the monarchy despite Charles I's attempts to bypass the power of Parliament. -
The Second English Civil War
The second English Civil War was fought between the supporters of Charles I and those supporting the Parliament. The conflict arose due to Charles I's decisions to avoid Parliament's laws and enforce force loans and collect taxes without Parliament's consent. This led to Parliament using their right to create an army, fight King Charles I's army, and eventually execute him. Parliament once again exercised their ability as a check on royal authority by directly challenging Charles I's rule. -
Glorious Revolution
As Parliament was growing weary of James II ties to Catholicism, they enlisted the aid of Protestant William of Orange to intervene. After the first few battles, James retreated to France and William and Mary took over the English throne. Cooperating with Parliament, they passed new declarations such as the Bill of Rights which limited the monarch's power. The king's authority can be seen to have greatly been limited as Parliament managed to overthrow the royal crown. -
The English Bill of Rights
With roots in the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights continued the list of rights guaranteed to the individual and further limited the monarch's power. Parliament had the power of the purse while the monarch lost the ability to freely suspend or enforce laws without Parliament consent. Many of John Locke's ideas can be seen in this document such as the right to a just trial and the right for subjects to petition the king. As Parliament and the people got stronger, the monarchy only got weaker.
