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The Petition of Right was a written demand by Parliament that limited the Monarch's power and ability to create taxation without consent. The monarch at the time period, King Charles I would agree. This document was important as it set the basis for limiting the amount of power for the monarch and the eventual creation of a limited monarchy. -
After a fallout between Charles I and Parliament, Parliament began to raise an army in order to fight Charles who wanted to imprison them. Parliament would pass the militia ordinance so they could do so. Parliament would win with the help of Oliver Cromwell. Charles's powers would be limited after the conflict which highlighted the early precursor to a limited monarchy. -
The Commonwealth of England was established after the Charles's defeat between Parliament's and Oliver Cromwell's forces. Charles would be executed and replaced by a military dictatorship with Oliver Cromwell being in control. The commonwealth would fall apart 1659 and the monarchy would be restored as the people were eager for the end of the dictatorship. -
After the monarchy was reestablished in England, Charles II would become king. He had secret Catholic sympathies and planned to publicly announce them. To grant religious freedom to Catholics, Charles would pass the Declaration of Indulgence which granted religious freedom to both Catholics and Protestants. This would upset Parliament and cause conflict between Charles and Parliament. -
Parliament was disapproving of Charles II's Catholic sympathies. As a result, Parliament passed the Test-Act which forced military and government officials to swear an oath towards the Church of England. This effectively barred Catholics and Protestants from public roles. The Test Act was important as it highlighted the increased power of Parliament in government affairs and its increasing power over the king. This would serve as a precursor to the limited Monarchy established decades later. -
When James II came into power in 1685, he was upset with Parliament's increasing control over the monarch. Because of this, James II would repeal the test act and began cracking down on Parliament. Parliament would respond with the help of William of Orange who invaded England and fought against James. The revolution would end with Parliament and William emerging victorious. William would accept a piece of legislation known as the English Bill of Rights which would limit the monarch's power. -
The English Bill of Rights would be passed after the conclusion of the glorious revolution. The Bill of Rights would include a list of 13 rules that would limited the power of the monarch. This included the monarch not being able to interfere with Parliament affairs, giving them free speech, and giving English citizens the right to petition. The English Bill of Rights would serve as the event which would give rise to the limited monarchy in England.