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Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
First issued in 1215, this document was written by King John's subjects, who forced him to sign it. It was the first major challenge to the monarchy's absolute rule, laying down the idea that the King's power was not arbitrary and that all English people had certain liberties that could not be infringed upon. This marked the first of many challenges to absolute royal power. -
Dec 14, 1241
Establishment of Parliament
The English Parliament, composed of the House of Commons and House of Lords, was established in 1241. the members were originally meant to act as advisors to the King, but eventually would become the very force that challenged his power. -
English Civil War
The English Civil War was fought during Charles I's reign. It was a conflict between the Parlimentarians (led by Oliver Cromwell; also called "Roundheads") and the Royalists (led by King Charles I; also called "Cavaliers"). The war ended in 1651 with Parliamentarian victory, and England became a republican Commonweath under Cromwell. This event was a major victory for the increase in Parliament's power over the monarchy. -
James II Married Anne Hyde
KIng James II was married to Anne Hyde, a Catholic, in 1660. This led the Protsetant population to be extremely worrysome since they predicted James would convert England back to Catholicism. This fear of their king being Catholic impassioned the Parliamentarians to fight to reduce the monarcy's rights. -
William and Mary Become Leaders
William III and Mary II were put on the throne by Parliament in 1689, replacing the near-absolute monarchy of James II. They facilitated a new cooperation between monarchy and Parliament, which ushered in an age of greater freedom and liberty in England. -
Two Treatises of Government Published
This book was published anonomously by the influential thinker John Lock in December 1689. It was a general argument against absolute monarchy, and served as a wonderful defense for the Glorious Revolution. -
Passing of the Bill of Rights
Parliament passed the English Bill of Rights in 1689 by getting William and Mary to sign the document. It declared that Parliament was above the King in terms of power, and laid out the specific liberties subjects should have and limitations rulers should have. It addresses areas such as freedom of speech, right to petition the monarch without punishment, etc. This bill solidified Parliament's stand on where monarchy should be in the power-ranks - low.
