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The Magna Carta establishes the rights of barons (wealthy landowners) who served as consultants to the king on governmental matters in his Great Council. Barons were selected by the king. The Great Council is first referred to as “Parliament” in 1236. -
The Parliament drafts the “Provisions of Oxford,” which called for regular meetings of the legislative body, composed of representatives from each of the counties. Four years before, representatives of the English counties (known as “knights of the shire”) had been sent to consult with the king on issues related to taxation. -
Parliament adds two representatives from each of the counties and towns in England to its body, additionally to the nobles and bishops that it already included.
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Parliament divides into two Houses: the House of Lords is composed of noblemen and bishops and the House of Commons is composed of knights of the shire and local representatives. The Parliament begins to take on more authority within the English government. Since 1362 Parliament must approve all taxation. -
The legislative body deposes King Richard II, enabling Henry IV to assume the throne.During his reign, citizens are given the power to vote to elect their representatives to the House of Commons. -
Henry IV’s son, Henry V, assumed the throne and became the first monarch to acknowledge that the approval and consultation of both houses of Parliament was required to make new laws. -
Queen Elizabeth I dies and leaves a huge debt to her successor:James I (Elizabeth's cousin). He maintais controversies with Parliament regarding monetary and religious issues. -
James I dies and Charles I, his son, takes the throne. He has monetary difficulties due to wars with both Spain and France. He dissolves Parliament several times because it refused to fund him. -
Charles I calls Parliament again. Parliament refuses to grant him money until he signs a document called Petition of Rights. This document states the idea that the law is superior than the king, contradicting the idea of absolute monarchy. -
Parliament passes laws to limit royal power. Charles I tries to arrest Parliament´s leaders but he fails. A mob of Londoners raged outside the palace. Charles I leaves London and raises an army in the north of England.
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From 1642 to 1649 the English Civil War takes place, between those who remain loyal to the king (called Royalists or Cavaliers) and the Puritans (called the Rounheads), who supported the Parliament. -
In 1647 the king is taken prisoner by General Oliver Cromwell. Finally, in 1649. Charles I is found guilty of treason against Parliament and executed. -
The members of Parliament who were thought to be loyal to Charles I are excluded from the legislature. The so-called “Rump Parliament” is created.
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After the execution of Charles I, the Rump Parliament abolishes monarchy. England is declared a commonwealth (a republican form of government). -
General Cromwell dissolves Parliament and creates the Nominated Assembly, a de facto legislature. He becomes a military dictator. -
After Oliver Cromwell´s death, the government that he had created collapses and a new Parliament is created.
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In 1659, the Parliament asks the older son of Charles I, called Charles II, to rule England. In 1660 Charles II begins his reign. Because he restored the monarchy, his rule is called the Restoration. New Parliamentary elections are held. In the next 18 years no general election is called. -
Parliament passes the “Test Act,” which prevented Catholics from holding elected office.
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Parliament passes Habeas Corpus law, which ensures that no one can be illegally imprisoned. This law goes against arbitrary detention by the authorities and also states that a prisoner can´t be held indefinitely without trials.
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Charles II dies and his brother, James II, becomes king. James (who was Catholic) take measures that favor Catholicism. As a result the Parliament protests and he dissolves it. -
By means of a conspiration, in which members of the Parliament were involved, James II is deposed and his eldest daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange, who were Protestant, ascended to the throne. This is called the Glorious Revolution because it did not involve bloodshed. -
England became a constitutional monarchy, where laws limited the ruler´s power. A Bill of Rights is drafted by the Parliament in order to make clear the limits of royal power. After that, no British monarch could rule without the consent of Parliament and Parliament could not rule without the consent of the monarch.
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During the 17th century, Scotland and Ireland formally become a part of the UK and thus send representatives to the Parliament. -
In the early 20th century, several changes are made to the composition of the Parliament and the legislative processes. In 1918 women get the right to vote. The Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949 establishes greater powers for the House of Commons.