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Period: to
Timespan of the Events Leading to a Limited Monarchy in England
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James I becomes King of England
James I believed that kings had a divine right to the throne and to rule. This belief started to dwindle with the people and they grew wary of him and his power. King James I tried once more to establish absolutism within England. But when he failed to fix the debt, it became clear to many that one man could not rule alone. -
Charles I becomes KIng of England
Charles I succeeded to the throne after his father died. He continued much of the same beliefs such as the divine right theory. However, he took the belief of absolutism to a new level. He carried it out much further than his predecessor. King Charles I teetered on the edge of tyranny with how much power he took from Parliament for his own. And as his own funds ran out and Parliament was forced to convene, it once again became clear that a king could not function properly without a parliament. -
The Petiton of Right
The Petition of Right was a document written asking the king to grant Parliament certain rights, such as being alone in levying taxes and declaring martial law. This petition is a great example of the people and Parliament straying from absolutism and taking away the powers of a monarch to balance and check. The petition was made into law in 1641 following the death of Charles I. -
The Bishops' Wars
The Bishops' Wars were conflicts set between Charles I and his episcopalians and the presbyterian Scots. Charles I originally sided with his bishops and wanted as many as possible in Scotland. That is, until the war escalated and Charles I had no choice but to go to Parliament for help. This event signified the beginnnig of the end of chance at absolutism, as Charles I recognized the powers of Parliament where he had none. -
The execution of Charles I
The English Civil War following the Bishops' Wars led to the capture of KIng Charles I. For his crimes against England and her people, he was to be executed. The beheading of Charles I represented the hatred of the English for absolute monarchies and the idea that no longer would they serve under one - that Parliament would be their government. -
The Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution saw a new king and queen of England, as well as the final blow to absolutism. A new English constitution was brought up, which would include the Declaration of Rights, the English Bill of Rights, the Habeus Corpus Act, and the Petition of Right. This new constitution and the Glorious Revolution demonstrated the new powers of Parliament over the monarchy, bringing England closer and closer to a limited monarchy. -
English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights defined the powers Parliament held over the monarchy. It included much of what was said within the Petition of Right. It also stated that the Parliament would be freely elected. This document gave the people hope for a new era. It allowed citizens to be able to have a direct say within the government and truly be led by whom they desired.
