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The Long Parliament (1640-1660)
This was a time during which Parliament challenged the power of the English Crown. For example, they refused to give Charles I an army to fight the Scottish rebellion because they said they couldn't trust him, they executed two of Charles' ministers, they said he couldn't levy taxes without their consent, abolished the courts that had enforced royal authority, etc. Thus this event lead to the limiting of the monarchy as it was a time when the monarchy's power was challenged by Parliament. -
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Years leading up to a limited monarchy in England
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English Civil War
This war started in 1642 and pitted Parliament against the king, in this case King Charles I. After Charles' failed attempt at invading Parliament he went off to create an army. This event caused Parliament to make their own army thanks to the Militia Ordinance. Eventually Parliament would defeat Charles and eventually end his life at a public execution. It lead to a limited monarchy as it was the first challenge to the power of the English monarchy which lead to the limiting of the monarchy. -
The execution of Charles I
This event happened following the English civil war. Charles was defeated militarily in 1645 and was kept alive for four more years until he was put on trial in a special trial and then later beheaded in a public execution as a public criminal in 1649. The monarchy at this point was abolished and replaced by the English Republic headed by Oliver Cromwell. This lead to a limited monarchy as it challenged the monarchy's power and lead down a straight line to the English Bill of Rights. -
The Puritan Republic
Following the execution of Charles I Parliament gained complete control over England under Oliver Cromwell. He established a Puritan republic that eventually became unpopular. During his rule of England he did things such as invading Scotland & Ireland, persecuting Catholics especially, etc. This government was dissolved shortly after his death. This event lead to the limiting of the monarchy as it was another event in a chain that challenged the power of the monarchy since he no longer ruled. -
The Declaration of Indulgences
This act was put forth by King Charles II & was opposed by Parliament. The act suspended all laws against Catholics and non Anglican Protestants. The important part of this act was that Parliament challenged the king by refusing to fund his war with Holland until he got rid of this act which he did. Following this incident Parliament passed the Test Act. This event lead to the establishment of a limited monarchy as it represents further challenges to the monarchy's power by Parliament. -
James II son's birth and the Glorious Revolution
In 1688 James II had a son with his Catholic wife which meant that his Protestant daughter Mary would not become queen. This event made Parliament call forth William and Mary to come and invade England in what was called the Glorious Revolution. This event would lead to a limited monarchy because a year later in 1689 when William and Mary would be declared king and queen they would accept the English bill of rights which would limit the monarchies power. -
William and Mary are made the King and Queen of England
In 1689 a year after William and Mary invaded England at the behest of Parliament they are crowned as rulers of England. That same year the two monarchs accept the English Bill of Rights that did many things, such as guaranteeing the civil liberties of the English privileged classes, but most importantly limited the power of the monarchy. Thus making William and Mary monarchs lead to the limiting of the monarchy as they used their new position to accept legislation that limited their own power.
