William pitt the younger house of commons 1793

What Led to the Creation of a Limited Monarchy in England?

  • The Magna Carta
    Jun 15, 1215

    The Magna Carta

    The Magna Carta formed the cornerstone of the future limited monarchy of England, being the first document to limit the power of the King, and enshrine the laws and rights of the people; saying no one was above the law, even the King, which was a restriction on his powers. Though the Magna Carta unfortunately had no practical effect on the King's Power; it was very important, as many future documents built upon it.
    Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-15/magna-carta-sealed
  • English Civil War

    English Civil War

    After decades of being repressed by the crown and corrupt officials put in place by the crown, Parliament revolted, and made it their mission to check the King's absolute power. They started a civil war, which showed the people what would happen if the King had too much power over everyone else. It paved the way for people to challenge future kings' powers, and begin to limit it through laws, as they still had the memory of the Civil War caused by absolute Kingly power in their minds.
  • Execution of Charles I

    Execution of Charles I

    In 1649, Parliament overthrew the King of England; Charles I, and had him tried and executed publicly in front of thousands. This was after a long streak of Charles I overstepping the boundaries of his duties as King, and ruling by absolute power. While this did not directly limit the Kings' power, it showed the people and proved to Parliament that the King's Power could be challenged, paving the way for future developments.
    Source: https://www.squaducation.com/blog/execution-charles-i
  • Establishment of the Commonwealth

    Establishment of the Commonwealth

    After the end of the 2nd English Civil War and the execution of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell took power as leader of England, and established a cooperative rule between himself and Parliament, making a system that would become the basis of the Limited Monarchy. Alas, Cromwell disbanded Parliament after a disagreement and ironically became what he was trying to avoid; an absolute ruler.
    https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-herkimer-westerncivilization/chapter/the-english-protectorate/
  • Deceleration of Indulgence

    Deceleration of Indulgence

    In an attempt to keep his country together, Charles II passed the Deceleration of Indulgence, which stopped the Penal Laws against Non-Anglicans in England, specifically the remaining Catholics in England. Though this law was extremely controversial at the time and was frowned upon by the very much Anglican Parliament, it laid the earliest groundwork for later laws of religious tolerance and freedoms in England.
    Source: https://historyofparliament.com/2022/03/10/declaration-of-indulgence/
  • The Glorious Revolution

    The Glorious Revolution

    William III, Stadtholder of the Netherlands, sends an invasion to England; forcing James II to abdicate from the throne. This allowed Parliament to begin to dismantle the absolute monarchy the Stuartian Kings established, as William III was anti-absolutism; and supported reforms of the British Monarchy.
  • English Bill of Rights

    English Bill of Rights

    The English Bill of Rights was the most important step in England's Transition to becoming a limited monarchy. It put the people's laws into writing, and made, which limited the King's power; since he could no longer make laws that infringed these rights. Not only that, but the Bill of Rights also gave significant power to Parliament as well, further limiting the Kings' Power. Despite this though, there was still a way to go until a limited monarchy, the King still had the most power.