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Period: 1200 to
Seven Steps to a Limited Monarchy
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta signed
The Magna Carta was signed in June 1215 by a group of barons to protect their rights and avoid the king from abusing his power. The document stated that the king and his government was not above the law and also took away the ability for the king to levy taxes without the consent of the Parliament. This document can be seen as the first of many challenges to absolute royal power. -
English Civil War
The English Civil war was a series of conflicts between 1642 and 1651. The war was fought by two major groups: King Charles' supporters (Royalists) and the ones that supported the rights and privileges of the Parliament (Parliamentarians). The English Civil War ended with the result of the Parliamentary victory and therefore a temporary end of the monarchy. -
Execution of Charles I
King Charles I was convicted of treason by the parliamentarian High Court of Justice and was beheaded on Janurary 30th in 1649. He was declared guilty of attempting to uphold in himself an unlimited and tyrannical power to rule according to his will". Many people found his execution controversial and wrong and made them blame an English Monarch and the Monarchy overall. -
Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord
He stepped up to the throne after a period of the House of Commons being the highest power in the nation. After his rule begins in 1653, he disbands the Parliament and passed several laws against Catholics. By many he was and is seen a an equally bad dictator as Charles I. His death caused English people to want a monarchy again. -
Habeas Corpus Act
The Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 was written by the Parliament during the reign of Charles II and it prevented the Monarchy from prosecuting citizens for unnecessary reasons and unlawful imprisonment. This document limited the Monarchy's power and was an important part of what became a limited monarchy. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was a series of events between 1688-1689 which resulted in the exile of King James II and the accession to the throne of Mary and her husband William. This was seen as the last tine the English Monarchy had total power and also put an end to Catholic reign in England. -
Enactment of the Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights further limited monarch's powers and gave the Parliament the power to have a more significant say in government decisions. It remained as law for centuries and is considered to be central to the English Constitution.