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Britain's Path to a Limited Monarchy
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King James VI of Scotland crowned as King James I of England
The coronation of King James I of England united the Scottish and English crowns. As king, James's religious policies caused division among a wide range of people. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=King+James+I&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image -
English Petition of Right
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petition_of_Right.jpg The English Petition of Right was drawn up by the House of Commons in response to Charles I imposing a forced loan upon some of his subjects. It claimed 4 rights: No martial law during peacetime, no taxation without consent from Parliament, No imprisonment without due cause, and the quartering of soldiers in citizens' houses. This petition set the precedent of Parliament imposing limits on the monarch's authority. -
Imprisonment of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury
William Laud put into place many of the religious reforms that Charles I enacted. These reforms, like implementing the Book of Common Prayer, were seen by many Puritans as too Catholic-like. Parliament imprisoning William Laud shows that they had the ability to not only enact the religious atmosphere that they wanted, but stand up to the monarchy. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=William+Laud&title=Special:MediaSearch&go=Go&type=image -
English Civil War Begins
The English Civil War began in 1642. It demonstrated the deterioration of royal authority. It started when King Charles I tried to impose the Book of Common Prayer over Scotland and eventually the English Parliament got involved. -
Execution of King Charles I
The execution of King Charles I following a trial represented the ultimate triumph of Parliament over the Monarchy. It was the culmination of the English Civil War and showed Parliament's victory. This execution also set the precedent for future kings that something like this could happen to them if they did not fall in line with Parliament. -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution occurred when Parliament invited Mary II and her husband William III of Orange to depose King James II. The couple became co-rulers of England. Once again, Parliament showed its ability to control who the monarch was. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights formally made England a limited monarchy as it put into law the rights that Parliament had fought for over the past century. It put certain limits on the monarchy and guaranteed the rights of free speech, free elections, and regular sessions for Parliament. It was signed by monarchs Mary and William.
