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1215
The Signing of The Magna Carta
In 1215, King John of England was forced to sign a document, changing the form of power in England. This document's signing meant that the King and his government was no longer seen as divinely above the law. This document placed limits on royal authority, and limited the power a King could hold. -
Jan 20, 1265
The Establishment of English Parliament
With the limiting of power following the signing of the Magna Carta, power began to be far more balanced, with the establishing of a parliament signaling the changing of times. Though it originally started in 1215, both Lords and commons were permitted to be elected into the parliament, marking the beginning of a democratic and people run Parliament. -
The Petition of Right
Eventually, the people of England were fed up with the oppressive monarchy. The Petition of Right was essentially a list of wrongdoings against the people committed by King Charles 1, marking the public's unhappiness with not only the monarchy but with the King. The main ideas were that taxes couldn't be imposed without Parliament's consent, that people can't be imprisoned for frivolous reasons, that soldiers can't quarter in citizen's homes, and that martial law can't be applied in peace time. -
English Civil War
War broke out between parliamentarians and royalists, epitomizing the struggle for power. This was the conflict (or rather series of conflicts) that officially pitted the two forms of government, and settled the issues in England. Apart from deciding the better form of government, religious freedom was a big issue in the conflict. -
Execution of Charles I
After numerous years of fighting, the Parliamentarians killed King Charles I on counts of treason. Some of the things he did to warrant this was dissolving Parliament when it opposed him, the war, and his belief in the divine right of Kings. This execution also spiritually marked the death of the oppressive and "divine" reign of the monarchy. -
Two Treatises of Government
John Locke authors revolutionary passages with many groundbreaking and pioneering propositions, particularly about government. He states a government should protect the natural rights of its citizens. It becomes the framework of rights in many nations, and changes the way the English government works. -
Passing of the Bill of Rights
Following the overthrowing of King James II, William III and Mary II became the co-rulers of England. They signed this revolutionary document, signaling the implementation and following of civil rights and "natural laws" as John Locke would call them. This effectively limited governmental power, gave more power to the people and changed who had more power in the nation, giving the Parliament the supreme power of the nation.