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Period: 1000 to
How the Monarchy Lost All Power In The United Kingdom
Seven events that describe how parliament came into existence and how it gradually took power from an absolute monarch and gave it to people. -
1066
Step 1: Gain Some Autonomy
First Magnum Concilium
William the Conqueror called the Magnum Concilium or Great Council, made up of magnates of great lords or lesser lords. These meetings would help him create laws and devolve power to his subjects, giving them slight autonomy. This would be the earliest form of assembly that would decide on the laws and get consensus of the citizens on their ruler. -
1215
Step 2: Establish The Monarch As Not Above The Law
Magna Carta
The Monarch at the time, King John, was desperately in need of money and the nobility of England agreed to pay him, as long as he signed the Magna Carta. This document dictated that the monarch and their government were not outside the law, it limited the king and gave power to the nobility to not be cruel or unfairly imprisoned and set limitations on what nobles would have to pay the crown. -
1341
Step 3: Gain A Bicameral Legislature Run By The People
In 1327 with Edward III coming into power knights and burgesses became a permanent part of the Parliament and in 1341 these groups would deliberate and act separately from the House of Lords and be established as the House of Commons. -
1376
Step 4: Choose A Speaker In Your Parliament
In 1376 people were tired of the elderly Edward III and parliament chose Thomas Hungerford as the first termed Speaker. This gave parliament more autonomy and decreased the influence of the Monarch in parliament. -
Step 5: Have The Loyalists Lose To The Parliamentarians
The English Civil War is one of the most important parts to limiting the British Monarchy. The Monarch, King Charles, was beheaded after the Parliamentarians who sought more power in parliament and less power to the monarch had beaten the Loyalists who pursued the continued power of the monarch. Charles II would become the new King with far less power, having substantially more signed away to Parliament and promising religious freedom and amnesty to his citizens. -
Step 6: Make The Ambassador Be Chosen By The People
In the 1926 Balfour Declaration the position of governors-general would become an office held by an elective chosen by the people to represent the government instead of someone appointed by the crown. This would firmly remove the crown from even diplomatic relations and have parliament and the prime minister become the clear government. -
Step 7: Transform Monarch Into A Ceremonial Role
Finally, after the second world war the monarchy had lost any remaining political power and became a ceremonial position instead of a political one. The monarch had become a representation of national unity and identity, losing all vestiges of power and becoming the Head of the Commonwealth.
