-
1215
Magna Carta
he first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government was not above the law. -
Jamestown's House of Burgesses
s the first democratically-elected legislative body in the British American colonies -
Petition of rights
The petition sought recognition of four principles: no taxation without the consent of Parliament, no imprisonment without cause, no quartering of soldiers on subjects, and no martial law in peacetime. See also petition of right. The Petition of Right was drawn up by Charles's third Parliament in as many years. -
the crown and Parliament
The Crown informs Parliament of the government's policy ideas and plans for new legislation in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords -
English Bill of rights
passed free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed