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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Signed
The Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1215, addressed the grievances of his rule by declaring him as subject to the law, and declared that the king could only tax with the consent of the people. Not only did the Magna Carta pave the way for a powerful Parliament, but it also set a precedent for the relative weakness of English kings compared to their French counterparts. -
Jun 1, 1258
Provisions of Westminster Upheld
Not long after the passage of the Magna Carta, Henry was forced to swear to uphold the Provisions of Oxford and Westminster by June 1258. These documents abolished the absolute power of the monarchy, by ensuring the regular meeting of a directly elected council of nobles. This is what became the English Parliament of the 17th century and today. -
Aug 1, 1529
The Reformation Parliament
The Reformation Parliament of 1529 passed the major legislation leading to the English Reformation. To address the Papacy's blockage of the annulment of Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, it gave the English Crown religious authority, but also asserted the supreme authority of Parliament, thus ensuring that the most effective way for the king to pass statutes was through Parliament. -
Feb 1, 1555
Religious Strife under Mary I
After Mary I's ascension, her religious policy strayed toward one of strict persecution of Protestants. Over a five day period in 1555, numerous Protestants were executed. Parliament passed two Statues of Repeal, nullifying all religious legislation passed under Edward VI. Continuing the religious turmoil between Protestants and Catholics in England in the 16th and 17th centuries, it weakened the monarchy be eliminating the possibility for strict religious control, a tool utilized by Louis XIV. -
The Grand Remonstrance
Issued by Parliament in 1641 to Charles I, the Grand Remonstrance declared the grievances that the Parliament had with Charles's reign and demanded that Parliament be restored in order to prevent these from reoccurring. If Charles wanted his army financed by Parliament, the said that he must submit to a Parliament that can check his power by having the right to deny any of his policies. They also call for a total removal of bishops from Parliament and of corrupt officials appointed by Charles. -
The English Civil War
The English Civil War was the ultimate in removing the authority of the king.. During the English Civil War, the Cavaliers, who supported the king, were defeated by the Roundheads, Parliamentary supporters. The monarchy was abolished, and Oliver Cromwell took control as the head of the army. The power struggle in England between the king and Parliament almost ended the reign of kings in this instance, meaning that England's power structure was in no way suited to absolutism. -
The Glorious Revolution
James II's attacks on Parliament eventually triggered Parliament to have William III of Orange invade and ascend the throne with his wife, Mary II. Shortly after their joint ascension to the throne, passed the Bill of Rights of 1689, which limited the power of monarchy, set the rights of Parliament, and established the requirement of regular Parliamentary sessions. The aftermath of the Glorious Revolution was essentially a concession that absolutism in England had completely failed.
