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Period: 1200 to
Development of Limited Monarchy
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Jun 15, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was written by barons in the 13th century. They wrote the Magna Carta to protect their rights and property from a tyrannical king. King John granted the Magna Carter in 1215 due to threat of civil war and reissued multiple times with alterations. It gave the foundation for the Individual rights and documented the liberties held by "free men". The Magna Carta limits the English monarchy by establishing rights for the people that kings must respect and abide by. -
Dec 14, 1241
Establishment of Parliament
Parliament was founded in 1215 and established in 1241. It is a legislative body of the United Kingdom and is the primary law-making institution in Great Britain's constitutional monarchy. Parliament is made of the House of Commons and House of Lords. Originally Parliament members were supposed to act as advisors to the king but members of Parliament eventually become a force that challenged a King's power. This leads to the push for limited Monarchy in England. -
Petition of Right
The Petition of Right was sent by Parliament to King Charles I which complained of multiple violations of the law. It wanted recognition of four principles which were: no taxation with the consent from Parliament, no imprisonment without cause, no quartering of soldiers on subjects and no martial law in peacetime. The Petition of Right was another document which limited the monarchy's power in England. -
English Civil War
The English Civil War, or also called The Great Rebellion, is fighting that took place in the British Isles between supporters of the monarchy of Charles I and opposing groups in Charles's kingdom. The conflict was between the Parliamentarians ("Roundheads") and the Royalists ("Cavaliers"). The war ended in 1651 with Parliamentarian victory, and England became ruled by a republican rule. Because of this victory, Parliament's power was increased over the monarchy. -
Period: to
English Civil War
Series of civil wars and conflicts between Parliamentarians and Royalists. It was mainly over governance of England and problems with religious freedom. -
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution included the overthrow of James II, a Catholic king. King James II was replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William of Orange. The revolution, also known as "The Revolution of 1688" and "The Bloodless Revolution", ended up changing how England was governed which gave Parliament more power instead of the monarchy and would lead to the start of political democracy. -
Period: to
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, or also known as "The Revolution of 1688" and "The Bloodless Revolution" took place from 1688 to 1689. It lead to King James II to be overthrown and replaced with his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange. Motives were complex and were both political and religious reasons. -
Two Treatises of Government
The Two Treatises of Government, publishes in 1689, is a major statement of the political philosophy by the English philosopher John Locke. John Locke rejects the divine rights of kings and societies form governments by mutual agreement. In the Treatises, Locke writes that an absolute monarchy is an illegitimate form of government. It opposed monarchy and gave reasons and ideas to limit the monarchy. The publishment would help leading to the limited monarchy in England. -
Passing of the English Bill of Rights
The English Bill of Rights was an act signed into law in 1689 by William III and Mary II. The bill outlined specific constitution and civic rights. It gave Parliament power instead of the Monarchy. Because of this, The English Bill of Rights is an important event in the development of a limited Monarchy in England.