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1500
Growth of Parliament
After 1500, Parliament gained a much bigger role in government alongside the king. By 1540, people began to question the true role of Parliament because of the king's reliance on Parliament for financial support, especially after the war with Spain. Soon, Parliament was viewed less as junior branch stemming from the king and more as a partnership to help the king rule. -
Reign of James I
James I took to the throne in 1603. He believed in the "Divine Right of Kings" which gave royalty the authority to rule over all, under God. His reign is what established the idea of an absolute monarchy in England. Parliament was viewed only as a court for the king. All legislative powers, including imposing new laws, were left for the king. However, James I had to ask Parliament to help fix the kingdom's financial hardship. Parliament was resolved after his death in 1625. -
Reign of Charles I
Charles I was told by Parliament in 1628 to declare a "Petition of Rights" in exchange for money. This petition would make sure that no taxes were passed without Parliament's permission, but Charles I refused it. So, he ruled without Parliament until an immense amount of religious conflicts popped up and threatened the financial stability of the kingdom. Parliament agreed to help under the conditions that no king could ever attempt to rule without Parliament ever again. -
Civil War in 17th century England
The conflicts between Parliament and Charles I resulted in a civil war that divided the nation. There were battles fought between 1642 and 1644, but neither side reigned victorious. However, in 1645 there was a battle finally won by Parliament. Soon after, Charles I was captured and executed for treason. -
Reign of Charles II
Parliament attempted to rule over England without a king, but found that is was impossible. In 1660, they called upon Charles II to become their new leader. With his rule came a new restoration period in which prosperity was brought to the land through the cooperativeness of Charles II regarding the desires of Parliament. The people seemed to support him until his death in 1685. -
Reign of James II
After the death of his brother, Charles II, in 1685, James II took over the throne. James II was a devout Catholic and constantly conflicted with Parliament. Parliament was afraid that the Catholic monarchy, under James II, would try to reestablish Catholicism as England's official religion. James II continued to rebel against the wishes of Parliament and the people, and he even baptized his son upon his birth. -
English Bill of Rights
When William III of Orange took the throne, Parliament had yet another proposition. William and his wife, Mary, could rule side by side as the joint rulers of England and Ireland if they signed the new Bill of Rights. This document was written to make sure that no English monarch could ever rule without Parliament. This drastically limited the power of the monarch and gave all legislative power and authority over to Parliament. This marked the evolution of the British government.
