Timeline to a Limited Monarchy in England

Magna Carta Published

Jun 15, 1215

Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magna_Carta_(British_Library_Cotton_MS_Augustus_II.106).jpg The Magna Carta, drafted by English barons and sealed by King John, placed the first limits on the power of the Crown and protected the liberties of the people. This was the first of its kind and set the precedent of limiting the English monarchy's power as it bound the monarchy to the laws.

Model Parliament Created

Nov 13, 1295

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_I,_Westminster_Abbey.jpg Created by Edward I, the Model Parliament was England's first legally elected legislature and consisted of members of the clergy, aristocracy, knights, burgesses, and citizens. Although this parliament had limited power, it was the first time the people had representation in front of the monarchy. This marked the start to a more equal balance of power between Parliament and the monarchy.

The Petition of Right

Jun 7, 1628

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petition_of_Right.jpg The Petition of Right was a document written by British parliament to Charles I to address the peoples' grievances against the king. After instating forced loans and imprisoning subjects who didn't comply, the parliament wrote the document that reaffirmed its authority in the process of approving policies. This limited the Crown's power and increased parliament's, as well as setting the stage for future conflicts between the two.

Charles I's Personal Rule

1629

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:King_Charles_I_after_original_by_van_Dyck.jpg Charles I believed in the divine right of kings and dissolved Parliament for 11 years. But without parliament, he couldn't raise money for war. Thus, Charles raised money in non-parliamentary ways. He grew increasingly unpopular and was seen as a tyrant. The idea of a monarch with less power and stronger representation of the people gained traction, especially by the time he called parliament back.

English Civil War

Jan 1, 1642

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oliver_Cromwell_by_Samuel_Cooper.jpg The English Civil War was between Royalists and Parliamentarians. Charles I was beheaded, Charles II was exiled, and the monarchy was replaced with the republican "Commonwealth of England" led by Oliver Cromwell. In this form of government, power was almost entirely given to parliament. Although it didn't last, it directed England towards a future with a powerful parliament and showed what the people wanted.

Glorious Revolution

Jan 1, 1688

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_and_Mary.jpg Mary II and her husband William of Orange deposed the unpopular absolutist James II and VII bloodlessly. Mary and William seized the throne with the help of parliament, establishing the principle that the right to rule wasn't exclusively by birth but also through parliament. This also directly caused the enactment of the English Bill of Rights, which sealed the future of English government as a limited monarchy.

English Bill of Rights Enacted

Dec 1, 1689

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Bill_of_Rights_of_1689.jpg Enacted by William and Mary, the English Bill of Rights prevented monarchs from passing laws without parliament's approval. This finally equalised the power of parliament and the monarchy as the monarchy was finally placed under the rule of law. The state of the limited monarchy had finally been achieved.