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Period: 1200 to
The development of British institutions
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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is a document signed at Runnymede by King John. It declared the sovereign to be subject to the rule of law and documented the liberties held by “free men,” it provided the foundation for individual rights in Anglo-American jurisprudence. -
1295
Model Parliament
A council made up of barons, clergy, knights and representatives of towns summoned by Edward I by following the conditions of Magna Carta -
Nov 3, 1534
Act of Supremacy
The Act of Supremacy recognized Henry VIII as " the Supreme Head of the Church of England " and it became a treason to deny it -
Jan 21, 1549
Act of Uniformity
The Book of Common Prayer , primarily prepared by the Archbishop of Canterbury , Thomas Cranmer , became compulsory with the Act of Uniformity. It was viewed as a compromise between old and new ideas but it caused opposition from both conservatives and the more extreme reformers (Protestant Reformation). -
May 8, 1559
Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity
In 1559 Elizabeth I re-introduced the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity : the Act of Supremacy declared Elizabeth the supreme head of the church , while the Act of Uniformity wanted to regularise divine worship and the administration of the sacraments in the English church. -
Petition of Right
This document stated that the king (Charles I) could not imprison without trial or impose taxes without the consent of the Commons. They created this document because they were fed up of Charles ruling by completely avoiding parliament. -
Short Parliament
In 1640 Charles I summoned the Short parliament because he needed money to fight a rebellion in Scotland , but the parliament refused so Charles dismissed it after only 3 weeks and created the Long Parliament. -
Long Parliament
The Long Parliament succeded the Short Parliament and became one of the great institutions of English history because it represented the change in wealth from the Church and the aristocracy to a rising middle class (the King's powers reduced more and more). -
Rump Parliament
The Rump Parliament was composed by 121 members (all the Presbyterian and Royalist sympathisers were expelled) , condemned to death Charles I (1649) and declared a republic (the "Commonwealth"). -
Navigation Acts
With this act England had control of the sea tradings -
Corporation Act
This document excluded the dissenters from public offices. -
Cavalier Parliament
Nobles took back their place at the top of the society and formed the Cavalier Parliament. It ordered the bodies of the regicides to be exhumed and hanged. -
Act of Uniformity
This document imposed the use of the Book of Common Prayer. -
Test Act
This document required all public employees to conform to the Church of England. -
Toleration Act
It introduced more religious tolerance by granting freedom of worship to dissenting Protestants but excluded Catholics and Unitarians (so there wasn't that much tolerance). -
Bill of Rights
This document re-issued freedoms that had been stated by Magna Carta and the Petition of Right : for example the king could not levy taxes , raise an army and suspend laws without the consent of the parliament. -
Act of Settlement
The Act of Settlement stated that Anne and her heirs would succeed William and excluded Catholics from the throne (William and Mary had no children). -
Act of Union
With the Act of Union England and Scotland were joined together in the United Kingdom of Great Britain with a single parliament in Westminster.