-
Dec 25, 1066
The Curia Regis
William the Conqueror of Normandy was crowned King William I of England on December 25, 1066. He instituded the Curia Regis (Latin for 'King's Court') which was composed of the tenants-in-chief, the great officers of the king's court, and those ecclesiastics who held lands of the king. When called into session, the Curia Regis would advise the king on various matters of state including legislative, judicial, and diplomatic affairs. -
Jun 19, 1215
The Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was a document crafted by the barons of England in response to King John I's gross abuses of power. Not only did the Magna Carta protect the rights of the individual over the whims of the monarch, but it also stated that the king himself was subject to the laws of the land. There was also a stipulation in the Magna Carta that stated the monarch had to summon the lesser nobles of his kingdom to discuss important decisions involving the state before enacting a ruling. -
Nov 13, 1295
The Model Parliament
The assembly called in 1295 by King Edward I, known as the Model Parliament, is regarded as the first representative parliament of England. The assembly included the lower clergy for the first time, as well as two knights from each county, two burgesses from each borough, and two citizens from each city - together forming the Commons. Called to discuss taxation, Edward I agreed not to collect certain taxes without the consent of the realm. The assembly also set the pattern for later parliaments. -
The Petition of Right
King Charles I of England was forced to recognize the Petition of Right by Parliament in order to receive funds for the war with Spain. The document not only prohibited martial law, it also stated that there would be no forced loans or taxations without the consent of Parliament, that no freeman would be imprisoned without due cause, and that troops would not be quartered in private homes. -
English Civil War
King Charles I asked Parliament to raise funds for an army to supress a rebellion in Scotland. Parliament didn't trust Charles due to his track record and refused. Charles invaded Parliament, intending to arrest his opponents. However, his adversaries had escaped, and Charles, furious, left London and raised an army. The House of Commons passed the Militia Ordinance in response, which gave Parliament authority to raise an army of its own. From 1642 to 1646, civil war engulfed England. -
The Glorious Revolution
In 1689, Parliament proclaimed William III and Mary II the monarchs of England. In turn, King William and Queen Mary recognized a Bill of Rights that limited the powers of the monarchy and guaranteed the civil liberties of the English privileged classes. From then on, England's monarchs were subject to every English law and would rule only through the consent of Parliament, which would be called into session every three years. This ruling relegated the monarchy to mere figureheads of culture. -
The Prime Minister
Under King George I, a single parliamentarian named Sir Robert Walpole became head of government in the office of First Lord of the Treasury. His ascendency to the helm of the English government was based on royal support, his ability to deal with the House of Commons, and his control of government patronage. This office later became known as 'Prime Minister' and exists to this day as the premier office of power in English government.
