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Jun 1, 1215
Signing of the Magna Carta by King John
Image: King John Signing the Magna Carta, found here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Joao_sem_terra_assina_carta_Magna.jpg The Magna Carta was one of the most important documents in Medieval England, and still is. It was an agreement between the King and the commonfolk that the king would give his country his best intentions, and that he had certain duties to perform. -
Nov 22, 1534
First Act of Supremacy
Image: Henry VIII from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Portrait_of_King_Henry_VIII.jpg/480px-Portrait_of_King_Henry_VIII.jpg The Royal Supremacy Act was passed by Henry VIII, and esentially enacted him as the overseeing head in the Church of England. This event would trigger later events, such as the English reformation, which brought a spread of nationalism to Europe. -
End of the Tudor Reign
Image: Elizabeth I from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/Elizabeth_I_in_coronation_robes.jpg/446px-Elizabeth_I_in_coronation_robes.jpg During the Tudors reign, Henry VIII created a strong monarchy, which continued into the ruling of Elizabeth I. Although, it should be noted that she was one of the greatest monarchs in England's history, stablising the country. -
The Long Parliament
Image: Oliver Cromwell Dismissing Parliament from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/CromwellDissolvingLongParliament.jpg?uselang=en-gb During the thirteen years of its' establishment, the Long Parliament only exemplified how aggitated the peopl were with their government. The 'Parliament' called for new advisors and many new changes to the system, but because it was not officially registered with Oliver Cromwell, ruler of the time, it had little influence. -
Charles II Becomes King
Image: Portrait of Charles II from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/King_Charles_II_by_John_Michael_Wright_or_studio.jpg/470px-King_Charles_II_by_John_Michael_Wright_or_studio.jpg After years of Cromwell's Puritan rule, it was Charles II that brought England back to life. During his reign, Parliament passed the Clarendon Code, which prevented many Catholics, Presbyterians, and Independents from having a say in political affairs. -
Revolution of 1688
Image: James II of England from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/James%2C_Duke_of_York_-_Romanesque.jpg In this revolution, which lasted a year, James II was eventually overthrown. This allowed for the future rulers William III and Mary II to take their throne, creating a joint union and thus ending the former absolutism that so many Englishmen could not tolerate. -
English Bill of Rights
Image: English Bill of Rights from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/King_Charles_II_by_John_Michael_Wright_or_studio.jpg/470px-King_Charles_II_by_John_Michael_Wright_or_studio.jpg The English Bill of Rights was a very important document that set down the rules for Parliament, requiring regular elections and also established the idea of being able to protest a power without retribution. This was truly a final leap towards a limited monarchy.
