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James VI and I assumes the throne
King James VI and I believed in the "Divine Right of Kings" and absolutism. However, Protestant Reformers in the English Parliament instead believed in the idea of a Constitutional Monarchy. -
Charles I assumes the throne
Charles I, like his father, was a believer of the "Divine Right of Kings" and a firm believer of absolutism. This mentality can be seen in the passing of the "Petition of Right," in which he conceded power regarding taxation to parliament, only to then dissolve parliament. -
Charles I marries Henrietta Maria
This event caused even more division between the monarchy and the protestant nobility, as Henrietta Maria refused to convert to Anglicanism. -
Charles I recalls Parliament
After 11 years of Personal Rule, Charles I recalls parliament in hopes that it would rally behind him to quell the religious violence in Scotland and raise taxes. However, Parliament was more concerned with putting checks on the king's power and removing the Archbishop of Canterbury (who oppressed the Purtains in England). -
The English Civil War
The Civil War began with King Charles I attempting to arrest parliamentarians who tried to place checks on his power. The war was fought between the Cavaliers (Monarchical Supporters) and the Roundheads (Parliamentarian Supporters). Ultimately, the Roundheads would win the war on September 3rd, 1651. -
Trial and Execution of Charles I
Charles I was tried on counts of high treason by the Rump Parliament and, after ten days of drama, Charles I was found guilty and executed 10 days later. -
Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth of English
Oliver Cromwell was a member of Parliament who lead the New Model Army into battle and won the English Civil War. He became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England in 1653 and increasingly lead with an iron fist, cracking down on all of his rivals. He died in 1658, and his son assumed the title of his father. His weakness left a power vacuum. -
Stuart Restoration
Parliament summoned the son of the late Charles I, Charles II and asked him to become the new king of England. He accepted, and unlike his father, he was not an absolutist. -
King James VII and II and the Glorious Revolution
King James VII and II was openly Catholic and violated the Test Act. The Whigs and Tories united against the monarchy and fought it during the Glorious Revolution. The war lasted between 1688 and 1689, and it was won by Parliament. The resulting peace talks ensured the Parliament had supremacy over the Monarchy. -
The English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights set out a list of individual rights including the right to bear arms, freedom of religion, and the right to no quartering. Most importantly, however, it set out a list of checks and balances on the monarchy, legally ending absolutism.