Parliament Limits the English
Monarchy
Chapter 5.5
Monarchs Clash with Parliament
Background: Queen Elizabeth I leaves huge debt to
Parliament in 1603. King James I of Scotland becomes the
new King of England.
James’ Problems
– “Kings are justly called gods, for that they exercise a manner or
resemblance of divine power upon earth”.
Charles I Fights Parliament.
Petition of Right (1628)
King Charles I had to agree to the following:
– He would not imprison subjects without due
cause.
– He would not levy taxes without Parliament’s
consent .
– He would not house soldiers in private homes.
– He would not impose martial law in peacetime.
English Civil War
War Topples a King.
–
–
–
–
Royalists (Cavaliers).
Antiroyalists (Roundheads).
Oliver Cromwell.
Execution of Charles I
(1649).
Cromwell’s Rule.
– Lord Protector.
Puritan Morality.
Restoration and Revolution
Cromwell dies in 1658.
Parliament is reestablished, and Charles II
is restored as king.
Charles II reigns.
– Restoration
– Habeas Corpus (1679)
James II and the Glorious
Revolution.
– Tories- supported James.
– Whigs- opposed James.
Political Changes
William and Mary
make England a
Constitutional
Monarchy.
Constitutional
Monarchy - where laws
limit the ruler’s power.
Bill of Rights (1689)
No suspending of
Parliament’s laws.
No levying of taxes without
a specific grant from
Parliament.
No interfering with freedom
of speech in Parliament.
No penalty for a citizen
who petitions the king
about grievances.
Cabinet System Develops.
– Cabinet - ministers that act in the ruler’s name, but
represent the major party of Parliament.
– Today, the leader of the majority party in Parliament
heads the cabinet and is called the Prime Minister.