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King James VI of Scotland inherits the throne
As King, James would rely on Parliament for the generation of additional revenue. However, the monarch also expressed support for the idea of a divine ruler by saying, "The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon Earth." Parliament had played an important role in the financial affairs of the monarchy for a long time, but James started to challenge Parliament in favor of his absolutist view for English monarchs. -
King Charles I calls Parliament again
After a failed Expedition, Charles I called Parliament to forcefully request loans from wealthier members, many of whom refused. Several members put forth the Petition of Rights requesting Parliamentary consent for loans and calling them more frequently, but Charles would end up dissolving Parliament. Charles I established complete absolutism for the English throne for 11 years, but would further aggravate tensions for an angry Parliament. -
Scottish Rebellion
Riots ensued in Scotland for the reluctance of the Scots to abide by changes to the Church of England that required them to use the English Book of Common Prayer. Charles I was unable to secure funding from Parliament he called but then dissolved. Charles put together an army with other funding, but he ended up losing to the Scot armies that invaded Northern England, demanding funds that put Charles in a dire need, allowing Parliament to gain leverage in conflict against the king. -
Long Parliament and the Grand Remonstrance
Further military failures forced Charles to call the Long Parliament which impeached his two chief ministers and abolished the Court of Star Chambers. Parliament also made numerous grievances like changes to the Church of England in the Grand Remonstrance. Parliament finally took action in limiting royal authority, which undermined the authority of Charles I in a dispute that would result in the English Revolution -
Oliver Cromwell takes power
Oliver Cromwell led an army on the side of Parliament that overthrew Charles I while he subsequently took power. England became a military dictatorship under Cromwell where he persecuted Catholics and used force whenever necessary. Cromwell temporarily departed from traditional English monarchy, but he reinforced the need for one which happened after his death with Charles II. The return back to a monarchy revived past issues concerning the Power of parliament and the monarch. -
The Glorious Revolution
James II's attempts to reintroduce royal absolutism to England, alongside his Catholic sympathies, resulted in the intervention of Dutch Stadholder William III and his wife Mary, who sympathized with local and religious elites, and replaced James as the rulers of England. The Glorious Revolution ended the Stuart reign in favor of monarchs who were more willing to reconcile with Parliament. -
The Bill of Rights is passed
Following William and Mary's ascendance to the English throne, the Bill of Rights was passed, making the dissolution of Parliament by the monarch illegal. Furthermore, Parliament had to consent to raising armies and taxation, while elections couldn't be interfered by royal officials and all monarchs had to be Catholic. The Bill of Rights finally established legitimate recognition for the power of Parliament as a governing body, making the limited monarchy in England permanent.
