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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta signed
The Magna Carta is signed, granting rights to landowners, limiting the Crown's powers, and establishing a council that would eventually become Parliament. -
Nov 13, 1295
Parliament gains substantial power over tax revenues
Edward I grants Parliament the ability to raise taxes that exceeded the nobility's wealth. They retained this power, and required that all tax laws must be approved by Parliament. -
James I ascends to British throne
King James I ascends to the British throne and begins a reign marked by bad choices, including religious intolerance, scandal, poor foreign policy, and battles with Parliament. Resentment toward the king, particuarly within Parliament, grew. -
Charles I ascends to the throne and again oversteps power
Charles I gains English throne and believes that he can govern without any input from Parliament. He levies taxes without their consent and marries a Roman Catholic princess. -
Long Parliament
King Charles, unable to raise funds for a war with Scotland, convenes Parliament. Parliament, furious with him, increase their own power and enact reforms. These affect the levying of taxes, dates for Parliment to convene, the King's power over it, and its ability to command an army. -
English Civil War
Parliament and the King go to war against each other over the manner in which England should be governed. The war ends when King Charles I is excuted and Oliver Cromwell established English Commonwealth as a Puritan republic. -
Glorious Revolution
William III of Orange invades England and takes the throne from James II. He and his wife Mary then establish a constitutional monarchy by creating a Bill of Rights that limited the monarchy's power and increased the rights of citizens.
