Limited Monarchy

Signing of the Magna Carta

Jun 15, 1215

This is one of the most significant events in the history of the monarchy because it limited the power of the king for the first time in history. It was the first time where the people were able to force the king to do something. In this case it was agree to a list of demands that limited his own power.

Parliament Passes the Test Act

1672

This is one of the first examples of the power of the monarchy being limited by Parliament. It prevented the king from putting any Protestant Dissenters in charge of any government or military post. This limits some of the power of the King and it is one of the first examples where they lost their abilities following the signing of the Magna Carta.

King James Overthrown

1688

In 1688 King James was overthrown from his place as King of England. This was caused by his religious issues where he was a Catholic while most of the country were Protestants. So he was disposed in order for a Protestant King William to take control of the country. This is an example of a revolution which shows how the power of the King was waining.

William and Mary Proclaimed as King and Queen

1689

Although this doesn't seem as though it would weaken the power of the monarchy in reality it does. It makes it so that the presicdent is set where the King and Queen was not born into the line of sucession. Instead it was created that new kings and queens can be put in place after the old one was disposed. This sets a dangerous new area in the British monarchy.

William and Mary Sign the Bill of Rights

1689

When William and Mary became King and Queen of England following the overthrowing of King James they also signed the English Bill of Rights. This acknowledged that their power came from the legislature rather than from God. This greatly weakened their claims to power because they were no longer divine and instead ordinary.

Glorious Revolution

1689

When the Glorious Revolution happened it both disposed of the Catholic King James and put in place the Protestant King William and Queen Mary. At this time the English parliament was also established as the real ruling power in England. This firmly established that the monarchy was far weaker than it used to be.

Act of Settlement

1701

This act of settlement required that those on the British throne must be Protestant. This act actually weakens the monarchy because it puts limits on the monarchy and what they can do. They must marry Protestant and have Protestant heirs because now that is the only option for who may take the throne.