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The TIme in Which the Monarchy Lost Power
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James I Takes the Throne
In 1603, the current king of Scotland, James I, takes the throne in England unopposed. James inteded to have rarely meet with Parliament, and only meet with his royal court when decisions needed to be made. James created many other forms of revenue, mostly in the form of impositions. Parliament felt that this was an attack on their authority over the royal purse, but refused to do anything about it. -
Charles I Follows in his Father's Footsteps
When Charles I took the throne, Parliament was in favor of a war with Spain, but distrusted the monarchy so much to the point that they would not fund the war. Therefore, Charles resorted to other forms of funding, like his father did before him. He created new taxes and tariffs, including a forced loan on land owners. These actions challenged powerful land owners and the power of Parliament -
Charles I Recognizes the Petition of Right and then Disbands Parliament
After Charles I goes around the Parliament to get money by creating new, controversial taxes and tariffs for landowners in England, Parliament forces Charles into an agreement. In order for Charles to ever recieve new funds, Parliament forced him to recognize the Petition of Right. This document stated that no new loans or taxes can be forced upon the English people without the consent of Parliament. Also, no freeman can be imprisoned without due cause. Charles then disbanded Parliament. -
The Long Parliament
After the Scots rebelled against Charles, Parliament was brought back, but on its own terms this time. Parliament put many measures in place, such as abolishing the courts that enforced royal policy. It also prohibited levying of new taxes without the consent of Parliament. The final proclomation was that no more than three years can pass between meetings of Parliament, and the king can no longer dissolve Parliament. -
Civil War
Beginning in October 1641, Parliament began to take control away from the monarchy. It began when Parliament began to raise funds for an army to crush the Scottish Rebellion, but Charles' opponents believed that he could not handle an army, and thus requested that Parliament take control of the army. Charles left London and began to raise an army, leading the House of Commons to pass the Militia Ordinance, which allowed Parliament to rise an army of their own. This began a revolution. -
Charles II Restores the Monarchy
In 1660, Charles II returns to London, and therefore to the throne, which eliminates the Puritan leadership. With this change, Parliament goes back to being an institution that is only used when the king calls upon them. Tensions began to rise again, as Parliament then passes the Test Act in response to Charles' Declaration of Induglence. -
William of Orange Takes the Throne
In 1689, Parliament proclaimed that William III, formerly William of Orange, was the new king of England. He immediately recognized the Bill of Rights that limited the power of the monarchy. Then, it was determined that the English royalty would rule by the consent of Parliament, giving Parliament a great deal of power, and limiting the power of the Monarchy.
