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Jun 19, 1215
Signing of the Magna Carta by King John I
The first major reduction of power for the British Monarchy when King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta. Beginning with several members of the nobility refusing to cross the English Channel to serve King John, this document expanded the power of the nobility while lessening the power of the monarch. This would later not allow for an absolute monarchy during the age of absolutism (Stenton). -
Jul 19, 1553
The reign of Queen Mary I "Bloody Mary"
Queen Mary was a Catholic Tudor ruler who ruled for 5 years after the Protestant reigns of her brother Edward VI and her father Henry VIII. Her reign attempted to convert the English back to Catholicism, which she did by force. Her reign, although less "bloody" than Henry VIII, was hated by the public, who wanted nothing to do with Catholic absolute rulers such as Mary I (“Mary I: Tyrant or trailblazer?”). -
The Petition of Right
This act of Parliament required that there would be no more forced taxation on the people without the consent of Parliament. This weakened Charles I's power, and he later revoked this when dissolving Parliament. This, however, was a testament to how well liked the Parliament was by lower authorities, and how the monarch could not be absolute in England (Kragen 135) -
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English Civil Wars
During this period, royalists loyal to the Tudors clashed with parliamentarians, which inevitably ended with a dictatorship under Oliver Cromwell. This war asserted that the English would never have an absolute monarch, as many of the populous were in support of parliament over the monarchy (“English Civil Wars”). -
Execution of King Charles I
When faced with opposition, Charles I dissolved parliament 3 times which made him an unpopular king amongst the English. He believed in the divine right of kings, which would essentially allow him to be absolute. However, he was executed after being put on trial for treason. This deterred England from having an absolute monarch because the people saw the consequences of having an absolute monarch in Charles I (“Why was King Charles I executed?”). -
Oliver Cromwell's rule as "Lord Protector"
During the English Civil War, Dictator Oliver Cromwell rose to power after the execution of Charles I. During this, he, like his predecessor, dissolved Parliament after they attempted to disband his large army. His rule would become as hated as Charles I's rule, which also led the English away from absolute rule (Kragen 138). -
The Signing of the Bill of Rights by William and Mary
After the divisive reign of Catholic Sympathizer James II, who was disliked by the people for being a catholic sympathizer who was the brother of aa catholic convert, came the Glorious Revolution. In this revolution, William and Mary of Orange ruled together, recognizing an English Bill of Rights for the people. This needed any prospect of an absolute monarchy in England, as the country was ready for a limited monarchy with William and Mary's rule (Kragen 141).