Seven Steps to a Limited Monarchy

Creation of the Manga Carta

Jun 15, 1215

The Magna Carta was the first written document to state that the King and the government was not above the law. The Magna Carta sought to limit the Monarchy power so that the King could not abuse it.

Simon de Montfort's Parliament

Jan 20, 1265

Simon de Montfort's Parliament was the first instance were representative from all over were called to discuss matters of importance. This Parliament brought together knights and Burgesses for the first time. While Simon may have died soon after creating it this Parliament survived and later became the House of Commons.

Execution of Charles I

Jan 30, 1649

Charles was executed because the people believe he had betrayed them. In this instance the people were taking control and deciding who the monarch should be, or in this case shouldn't be. Charles didn't even defend himself during his trial because he believe that he was above the law; however, England decided that he wasn't. By making this choice they took a lot of power and authority away from the monarchy.

English Civil War

Sep 3, 1650

The English Civil War was a series of battles between Royalists and Parliamentarians. This war was fought over differing ideas on how the country should be run. This was the people rising up and deciding that they didn't agree with the way that the monarchy was running their country. Once again the people are pushing back against the monarchy.

English Bill of Rights

Dec 16, 1689

The English Bill of Rights put official restrictions on the Monarchy and gave true power to the common people and Parliament. When this was drafted it was stated that William and Mary could only become King and Queen if they accepted it. Never before had that type of restriction been put on a monarch.

Two Treatises of Government

Dec 4, 1698

In December of 1698 John Locke published Two Treatises of Government, anonymously. This book spoke out against the concept of an absolute monarchy. This would later become a great defense for why their should be a limited monarchy instead of an absolute monarchy.

Act of Settlement

Jun 2, 1701

England's history has been plague with countless war and political upheaval. Man y of these stem from the question of who id the rightful leader and heir. The problem with a monarch is that over time as generation pass the family tree will become very large and complicated this can lead to more than one person having claim to the throne. This act essentially put and end to that debate and stabilized a very unstable part of England's government.