-
This established the fundamental principle that the king is not above the law and that even a monarch's power can be limited by written agreement. It granted certain rights and liberties to the English nobility, laying the groundwork for later demands for broader parliamentary control over the crown. -
By declaring the monarch (Henry VIII) as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, this act brought the Church under state control. While initially consolidating royal power, it later meant that the monarch's authority was tied to an institution, the Church of England, that was itself subject to laws passed by Parliament, linking the crown's authority to the legislature. -
This document was a direct challenge to the absolute power claimed by King Charles I. It asserted that the king could not levy taxes without Parliament's consent, impose martial law, quarter soldiers in private homes without permission, or imprison subjects without cause (Habeas Corpus). It was a crucial assertion of Parliamentary checks on royal power. -
Forced by the need for money to fight rebellions, King Charles I had to summon Parliament. This body enacted laws to limit royal power, including measures ensuring Parliament must be called at least once every three years and could not be dissolved without Parliament's own consent. This effectively made Parliament a permanent part of the government, eroding the king's ability to rule alone. -
Following the English Civil War, Charles's execution demonstrated that the English people could hold kings accountable for tyranny and depose him. -
This revolution without violence resulted in the deposition of King James II and the ruling of William and Mary. Their right to rule was contingent on their acceptance of the Declaration of Rights, establishing that a monarch's legitimacy depends on the consent of Parliament. -
This document formalized the results of the Glorious Revolution. It guaranteed several civil rights, required Parliament's consent for all taxation and standing armies in peacetime, and established that Parliament would meet frequently and have free elections. It cemented the shift from absolute monarchy to a limited (or constitutional) monarchy.