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1215
Magna Carta
After the nobles revolted over King John's heavy, unavoidable taxes for expensive wars, John was forced to negotiate. The document, the Magna Carta, ensured the rights of nobles and said that everyone- including the King- had to obey the law. This was the first decisive step towards limiting the King's power. -
1295
Model Parliament
Under King Edward I the "Model Parliament" is formed. It is reguarded as the first representative assembly as Knights, Burgesses, and citizens are elected rather than nominated to represent their regions. This is the establishment of a parliament with more representation than just the wealthiest nobles and builds on the power of the people in governmental matters. https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-information-office/g03.pdf -
1534
Henry VIII Declares Himself Head of the Church of England
Henry VIII declares himself head of the Church of England, establishing England as a Protestant nation. The issue of England's protestant v. catholic faith would play a major role in the growth of Parliament's power. It was Charles I's attempt to bring Anglicanism to Scotland that required money from Parliament and sparked the English Civil War. Charles II and James II were both seen as too cozy to the Catholics, prompting Parliamentary panic that led to the invasion of William of Orange. -
The Short Parliament
The short parliament is dissolved after only three weeks, having not been in place for 12 years. It was called by the King to increase taxation to fund the war in Scotland but was ineffective for this purpose, causing King Charles to dissolve the parliament. -
Long Parliament Begins
At the verge of bankruptcy Charles is forced to call Parliament once again to fund the war in Scotland. With it's power Parliament begins enacting reforms and listing grievances against the crown in the anti-Catholic "Grand Remonstrance". These actions would lead Charles to try and arrest his parliamentary enemies, sparking civil war. -
Start of English Civil War
The start of the English Civil War, a direct battle between Parliament and the King. Under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell Parliament wins victory, executes King Charles and from 1649-1660 is a Puritanical Republic ruled, at least at first, by Parliament. This is the beginning of the shift of power decidedly away from the King and towards Parliament. -
The Glorious Revolution and the Declaration of Rights
Parliament supports the invasion of William of Orange and his Protestant claimant-to-the-English-throne wife Mary in order to oust James II. However they first signed the Declaration of Rights, finally sealing the deal on the supremacy of Parliament over the King's will.
