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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter, was the first example of people rebelling against the already established complete authority in England. Magna Carta was issued after King John II failed to defeat the nobles who rebelled against his power because he went against the feudal system by introducing high taxes. Here, the nobles in England are attempting to limit the absolute power of a king to levy taxes and conscript men for the military. -
James I named as King of England
James I was named King of England by Elizabeth I before her death. Since he was Mary, Queen of Scot's son, he was a Catholic and Scottish, and therefore, distrusted by many English. Following the absolute, successful rule of Elizabeth I, this was a problem for the English monarchy because the people did not want to give someone they thought was a foreigner too much power. This led to a limited monarchy because the monarch was not looked at to be absolute in its power with James I. -
Petition of Rights
Drafted by the existing, Parliment-like body, it stated their grievances to Charles I, and civil liberties that the king is unable to infringe upon. Specific things mentioned were things like taxation without consent of the people and the king’s power to imprison without evidence. By calling to limit the power of the king, this led to the formation of a limited monarchy, since in an absolute monarchy, the subjects of a nation are not allowed to demand anything from their ruler. -
Long Parliament established
The first modern Parliament, known as Long Parliament was established. The power of Parliament grew over time, but Parliament was created to share power with the monarchy, and make decisions on behalf of the people. They gained enough power to fight in and win the English Civil war, which means the establishment of Long Parliament played a great deal in limiting the power of the absolute monarch, formally and informally. -
English Civil War
The English Civil Wars were a long internal conflict which spanned from 1642 to 1651. They were fought between Charles I and Parliament over an Irish insurrection. These wars were to figure out who had power and who did not. Ultimately, Parliament won the war and took control into their own hands versus the monarchy, which is the direct definition of a limiting the absolute monarchy. -
Glorious Revolution
During the Glorious Revolution, Parliament overthrew the corrupt, overpowering King James II during peacetime. He was quickly replaced by William and Mary who began the era of limited monarchy and ruled in conjunction with parliament. The people were desperate to get rid of the king who abused his power (James II) and needed limited power and power that came more from the people. After the Glorious Revolution, absolutism was abandoned in England. -
English Bill of Rights
This document, signed by William and Mary, set many restrictions on the monarch in England, such as prohibiting the King from creating inappropriate extra parliamentary laws and ultimately rendering the monarch useless in dissolving the Parliament. This completely ended the absolute monarch and transitioned England to a constitutional or limited monarch.
