-
The Long Parliament
Charles I reconvened Parliament after the English army was defeated by the Scots. The Long Parliament was in session under its members' terms, although they were divided on relgious and political policies. Still, this Long Parliament established the power of Parliament as it executed chief officials. -
Period: to
Timeline to England's Parliamentary Monarchy
-
The Civil War
The English Civil War was fought between the king's supporters and Parliament's supporters. This event showed that Parliament was not going to sit idly by and watch the king take complete control of England. It showed Parliament was willing to fight for its role in the government. -
Charles I's Execution
Charles I was executed as a public criminal. This event also shows the power of Parliament. After the execution, Parliament "abolished the monarchy, House of Lords, and Anglican Church" (Kagan, 175). -
The Restoration
Parliament invited Charles II to rule England after eleven years of Oliver Cromwell's rule of a Puritan republic. England again had a hereditary monarchy and the Anglican Church was supreme. Again, Parliament made the decision to alter England's political system, not a monarch or single person. -
The Test Act
Parliament passed the Test Act in response to Charles II's Declaration of Indulgence. The Test Act stated that all officials had to swear an oath against transubstantiation. No true Catholic could do this. By passing this act, Parliament was directly checking the power of the monarch by challenging his declaration and allowing its members to have a say in selection of the king's ministers. -
William III's Coronation
After the Glorious Revolution, in which Parliament invited William III and his wife Mary to rule England, they were coronated. Parliament was upset with the reign of James II, who had strong Catholic ties. This event showed that Parliament was not going to stand back when it believed that a monarch was harming England. -
The English Bill of Rights
Parliament forced William and Mary to sign the English Bill of Rights before they took the crown. This document limited the power of the monarch and guaranteed the rights of the English people. It also established that no Roman Catholic could rule England. It crushed the chance of absolute monarchy in England and ensured that it would be a limited monarchy.
