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Jun 15, 1215
Signing of 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 in England, laying down the idea that the King's power was not unlimited and that all English people had certain rights that could not be infringed upon. This marked the first of many challenges to absolute royal power. -
Period: Nov 13, 1215 to
Limited Monarch in England Timeline
This is a time line to explain the 7 most important events that created limited power for the monarchy of England and gave more power to the parliment -
Dec 14, 1241
Establishment of Parliment
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. And become even more democratic. -
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. Even though Cromwell was essential a king. Parliment was given more power and control. -
James the second Marries Anne Hyde
James II was married to Anne Hyde, a Catholic, in 1660. This led the Protestant population to jump to conclusions since that predicted James would convert England back to Catholicism. This fear of their king being Catholic impassioned the Parliamentarians to fight against the monarchy and to make sure the monarch had less power -
Willam of Orange is given the throne
After the Glorius Revolution William of Orange was invited by parliment to become the king so. William III was 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 Treaties of goverment 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. And pushed for the goverment to become more democratic. -
Passing of the English 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.