-
Elizabeth I & James I 1558-1625
1558-1603 Elizabeth I : The “Virgin Queen” Elizabeth I died in 1603 without an heir after 44 years on the throne. 1603-1625 James I : Becomes King when Elizabeth I dies
Fights with Parliament over taxes & money
Founds Jamestown colony
Survives the Gunpowder Plot assassination attempt -
Charles I (1625- 1649) & Petition of Right of 1628
Charles I: Struggles with Parliament
Signs the Petition of Right - limits rights of the king
After dissolving parliament, starts a Civil War against the armies of Parliament
Executed for treason
Petition of Right of 1628: Four main points:
No taxes could be levied without Parliament's consent
No English subject could be imprisoned without cause - thus reinforcing the right of habeas corpus
No quartering of soldiers in citizens homes
No martial law may be used in peacetime -
Period: to
Oliver Cromwell & The Commonwealth of England
Oliver Cromwell: Puritan army general
Abolishes the monarchy
Rules as a military dictator
Has Charles I executed The Commonwealth of England: Rule by the “Rump” Parliament
Puritan reforms for the “nation’s morals”
Religious toleration for the 1st time -
Charles II & James II
Charles II: Exiled to France during Cromwell’s rule
Restores the monarchy after Cromwell’s death
Dissolves parliament
Known as the “Merry Monarch” James II: Brother of Charles II
Roman Catholic, which upset Protestants in England
Struggles with Parliament
Overthrown in the Glorious Revolution – “peaceful” -
William & Mary & 1689 English Bill of Rights
Offered the throne by Parliament
Mary is James II daughter
Begins a Constitutional Monarchy
Share power with Parliament A frequently summoned Parliament and free elections
Members should have freedom of speech in Parliament
No armies should be raised in peacetime
No taxes could be levied, without the authority of parliament
Laws should not be dispensed with, or suspended, without the consent of parliament
No excessive fines should imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted