William and mary cropped

Limited Monarchy In Seven Steps

By zhayes
  • Jul 15, 1215

    Magna Carta

    Magna Carta
    The Magna Carta is a document that established rights for English citizens following a period of great instability. Even though it is far older than any other document or event, I still chose it because it was one of the first instances of the limiting of monarchies. This can be seen in the way it limited the King's ability to take feudal payments. Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta#/media/File:Magna_Carta_(British_Library_Cotton_MS_Augustus_II.106).jpg

  • Petition of Rights

    Petition of Rights
    The Petition of Rights is a list of laws passed by parliament which forbids the King from infringing on the rights of his subjects. This event is extremely important because it not only establishes guild lines for a limited monarchy but also is the point where limited and authoritative monarchies split (watershed moment for ideas about governance). Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petition_of_Right.jpg

  • Charles I Attempts To Arrest Five Members of Parliament

    Charles I Attempts To Arrest Five Members of Parliament
    On this date King Charles I attempted to arrest five members of the Long Parliament. The Long Parliament was established after Charles was forced to reconvene it. This event is an example of the authoritative monarchy lashing out against the intruding parliament. It is important because it is the start of the conflict that became the English Civil War. Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Charles_I_(van_Dyck).jpg

  • Parliament Victory

    Parliament Victory
    In 1649 the parliamentary forces won the second English Civil War. On this day King Charles I was beheaded for treason. This event shows the victory of limited government over authoritative monarchies both in the victory of war and the victory of the establishment of that form. I chose this event as important because it is a turning point in the form of government England would attempt to be. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Battle_of_Worcester.jpg

  • Test Act

    Test Act
    With the Test Act parliament attempted to exercise their power to limit the power of the king. It made it law that any officials (whether they be military or civil) must swear an oath of no transubstantiation. This was particularly aimed at limiting the powers of the (believed) Catholic king and his brother. I chose this event because it show the limitedness of the monarchy following the war. Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Repeal_of_the_Test_Act_Sayers.jpg

  • Glorious Revoultion

    Glorious Revoultion
    This is possibly the most important event of all as it the biggest turning point towards England's constitutional monarchy. In an almost bloodless coup William III and Mary II overcame James II. Under their rule the monarchy would become much more limited. Image Source:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_and_Mary_cropped.jpg

  • Bill of Rights 1689

    Bill of Rights 1689
    Like the Petition of Right, this is an extremely important document in the limiting of the monarchy. The document clears up the line of succession as well as limits power by enforcing the need to convene parliament at least every three years and bringing about free speech and free election in parliament. I chose this document because of its importance in the establishment of the new government. Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/English_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689.jpg