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The True Law of Free Monarchies
Continually preaching about his divine-right powers and authority, James I completely undermined the importance of Parliament. In his book, he emphasized how he expected minimal interference of Parliament in his policies and ordinances. Some of the first traces of tension between Parliament and the monarch can be found as the underlying motives for publishing this book. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ATrue_Law_of_Free_Monarchies.jpg -
Petition of Right
Parliament finally began actively defending itself against the injustices of Charles I, like from his use of an unjust royal court, for example, and this document marked the beginning of the rejection of unspoken subservience to the monarch. Parliament finally began to defiantly seizes undeniable liberties; the Petition of Right asserted its taxation authority and freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petition_of_Right.jpg -
Long Parliament Establishes New Policies
The Long Parliament wasted little time asserting its fundamental rights and abilities while facing an authoritative monarch. Courts that enforced royal policies were abolished. Levying taxes without Parliamentary approval was prohibited. The King was no longer allowed to dissolve Parliament. This subordinate institution began taking a stand. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALongParliament.jpg -
Militia Ordinance
Parliament asserted the ability to raise an army of its own, in preparation to engage in combat with Charles I. Parliament's strength was being tested by the monarch, and this act proved that the Parliament of the people would truly be willing to fight for basic rights. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABattle_of_Naseby.jpg -
Test Act
Charles II thought that he could just grant religious freedom to dissenting faiths through his Declaration of Indulgence without needing the approval of Parliament. In response, Parliament took direct, contrary action. The publishing of the Test Act, which required that all officeholders take communion in the Church of England, asserted the superiority of Parliament's policies over those of the monarch.
Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARepeal_of_the_Test_Act_Sayers.jpg -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution was prompted by Parliament''s inviting Mary II and William III to claim the English throne away from the uncompromising, authoritarian Stuart monarchs. This event marked the beginning of restrained monarchs and cooperation between heads of the state. Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_and_Mary.jpg -
Bill Of Rights
This document testified to the fact that the absolute monarchy of the past had finally been dethroned. Rather, the reign of a new, more respectful authority had established itself in England. These inalienable rights, ingrained in this new culture, were to exemplify the beginning of a limited monarchy.
Image Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AEnglish_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689.jpg
