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Jun 15, 1215
Signing of Magna Carta
Magna Carta was created by a group of feudal barons to limit the powers of the King John and secure their rights, beginning a trend of English subjects objecting to abuses of power of the monarchy so as not to be taken advantage of. This trend would prove it impossible for absolutism to prevail in England. -
Jan 1, 1275
Formation of Parliament
Under King Edward I, Parliament was officially made an institution when the king called for representatives from each county and city to join. He asked the people of England to petition Parliament with their grievances so that they could have a voice in the government and be less likely to rebel, as had been the case with Edward I's father's rule. This increased power of a representative body continued the trend of England shying away from monarchal control. Source: http://www.parliament.uk/ -
Jan 1, 1533
King Henry VIII's Split with Rome
By King Henry VIII cutting ties with the Vatican, he established the basis of Protestantism, initiating a centuries-long religious conflict that would divide the nation and make it impossible for a single ruler to have power over the entire country. -
Jan 1, 1559
Act of Supremacy
This gave Elizabeth complete control over spiritual and temporal affairs, raising her to a position which should have been absolute power. However, the fact that Parliament was still in place and religious strife caused her to lack the support of Catholics, who were in the majority and plotted against her, reducing her effectiveness as ruler and balancing power between her and Parliament due to Parliament's favorability with the people. -
Petition of Right
Parliament petitioned King Charles I to declare it illegal for him to impose unnecessary taxes, require citizens to house English soldiers, and no imprisonment without cause. Another example of an attempt to limit the power of the monarchy which would hinder the possibility of absolutism. -
Glorious Revolution
The overthrown of King James II by a group of Parliamentarians, which led to the joint rule of WIlliam and Mary in conjunction with the legislative power of Parliament (a limited monarchy) and the creation of the English Bill of Rights in 1689. -
English Bill of Rights
After the Glorious Revolution, Parliament came up with a bill that dictated that the monarch must have parliamentary consent before imposing taxes or laws and that Parliament must meet regularly, among other points, which created a balance of power between the legislative representative body and the monarch. This made clear once and for all that absolutism could not be achieved in England.
