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Charles I of England accepts the Petion of Right
The Petion of Right put some restrictions on the monarchy and was the first proper attempt to limit it's power. In theory, when Charles accepted the document he was no longer able to impose taxes without Parliment's consent, convict people without due cause, and quarter soldiers in private homes. Charles didn't always follow the document, but it did give Parliment some power over his decisions. -
The passing of the Miltia Ordinance
When the House of Commons passed the Miltia Ordinance, they gave Parliment permission to raise it's own army. Parliment needed an army to combat the one that King Charles I was raising outside of London. The Miltia Ordinance gave Parliment the power to defeat Charles I, leading to the rule of Oliver Cromwell and the Purtian Republic. -
Test Act
After Charles II introduced a Declaration of Independence that suspended all laws against Catholics and non-Angelican Protestants, Parliment introduced the Test Act. The Test Act required all civil and military officals to swear an oath against transubstantion. Of course, no Roman Catholic would swear that oath and so they were kept out of office. This gave Parliment more power over government officals, limiting the power of the monarchy. -
The Glorious Revolution
When James II became king and dissolved the Test Act, Parliment was furious. This led to the "Glorious Revolution", a conflict that Parliment eventually won thanks to William of Orange. This revolution was one of Parliments many attempts to control the monarchy, and, as it succeeded, it led to even more parlimentary control. -
The Bill of Rights
After William and Mary's coronation, they recognized a Bill of Rights that limited the power of the monarchy. Now, the monarches would be ruled by the consent of Parliment. -
William and Mary are crowned
Parliment invited Prince William of Orange (the husband of Mary II
) to overthrow King James II. James fled to France and Willaim and Mary were named monarchs by Parliment. In this situation, Parliment has gone above and beyond to place their own monarch on the throne. Giving them more power over religion and the country in general. -
Sir Robert Walpole gains control
Walpole, considered the first prime minster of Britian, gained control of the government with royal support. He did a fantastic job of manging forgien affairs and made England a worldwide superpower. Walpole's sucess cemented the idea of a limited monarchy in the eyes of Britain and paved the way for the current governmental system.
