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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
‘The Great Charter’ established the principle that everybody, even the king, was subject to the law. Although nearly a third of the text was deleted or rewritten, and many clauses repealed in modern times, it remains a cornerstone of the British constitution. Most of the clauses described grievances. Some were fundamental values that challenged the autocracy of the king and proved highly adaptable in future centuries. The 39th clause gave all ‘free men’ the right to justice and a fair trial. -
English Civil War
The outcome of the war included the trial and execution of Charles I, the exile of his son, Charles II, and the replacement of English monarchy with the Commonwealth of England and then the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell's rule. Constitutionally, the wars established the precedent that an English monarch cannot govern without Parliament's consent, although the idea of parliament as the ruling power of England was legally established as part of the Glorious Revolution in 1688 -
The English Restoration
General George Monck restores Charles II to his throne after being exiled by Oliver Cromwell. Parliament limits Charles II's royal prerogative powers on constitutional grounds that he had no right to arbitrarily suspend laws enacted by Parliament. This means that the monarch does not have as much power as before. -
The Glorious Revolution (Parliament Meeting)
Parliament established a Bill of Rights that barred Roman Catholics from the throne; abolished the Crown’s power to suspend laws; condemned the power of dispensing with laws “as it hath been exercised and used of late”; and declared a standing army illegal in peacetime. If no Roman Catholic could be king, then no kingship could be unconditional. The revolution permanently established Parliament as the ruling power of England, not the monarch. -
Locke's Two Treatises of Government
The First Treatise argued that civil society was founded on patriarchalism. No government can be justified by an appeal to the divine right of kings. The Second Treatise outlines a theory of civil society. Locke describes the state of nature and argues that all men are created equal in nature by God. The only legitimate governments have the consent of the people, and if not, should be overthrown. His two treatises were very important in the transformation of political thinking. -
The Act of Settlement
This act strengthened the Bill of Rights and parliamentary government. It contained important constitutional provisions: all future monarchs must join in communion with the Church of England; if a future monarch is not a native of England, England is not obliged to engage in any war for the defense of territories not belonging to the crown of England; judges were to hold office during good behavior rather than at the sovereign’s pleasure; impeachments are not subject to pardon by the sovereign. -
The Reform Act
The Great Reform Act increased the electorate to about 18% of the total adult-male population in England and Wales. The vast majority of the working classes, as well as women, were still excluded from voting and the Act failed to introduce a secret ballot. The working classes felt betrayed by an act which made no real difference to their lives. However, the reform of Parliament had begun, and this paved the way for the popular agitation of the Chartists.
