Parliament Limits the English Monarchy

Chapter 5 Section 5

How did the people (especially in France) view a government under an absolute ruler?

Monarchs Defy Parliament

James I 1603- becomes king of England,

already King James IV of Scotland Argues over money with

Parliament Puritans hoped he would

enact reforms to purify English

church of Catholic practices;

James refused

Monarchs Defy Parliament

Charles I 1625- becomes king of England after his father’s (James I) death Needed money from Parliament to pay for war with Spain and France Dissolved Parliament when they did not agree to grant him money 1628- Parliament agreed to grant Charles money if he signed the Petition of Right

1628-Petition of Right

1. Charles I would not imprison subjects without due cause.

2. He would not levy taxes without Parliament’s consent.

3. He would not house soldiers in private homes.

4. He would not impose martial law in peacetime.

Charles refused to follow the petition and dissolved Parliament in 1629.

Why was the Petition of Right important even though King Charles I ignored it?

English Civil War

1641- Parliament passed laws to limit royal power; Charles arrested leaders in 1642

1642-1649- English Civil War Royalists (Cavaliers)- remained loyal to the

king Puritan supporters of Parliament

(Roundheads)- opposed the king

English Civil War

1647-Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army defeated Cavaliers and held Charles I prisoner 1649- Parliament brought Charles to trial for treason against Parliament; found guilty and executed This was the first time a reigning monarch

faced public trial and execution.

Oliver Cromwell’s Rule

1649- Cromwell took power in England. Abolished monarchy and the House of Lords and became a military dictator. Passed laws that promoted Puritan morality and abolished activities that they thought sinful- i.e. theater, sporting events, dancing, etc. Favored religious toleration for all Christians except Catholics

How was Cromwell’s rule similar to an absolute monarchy?

Restoration and Revolution

1658- Cromwell died; English people sick of military rule 1659- Charles II voted by Parliament to rule England; monarchy restored 1679- passed Habeas Corpus Act

Gave every prisoner the right to obtain a writ or document ordering that the prisoner be brought before a judge to specify the charges

Restoration and Revolution

1685- James II becomes

king (Catholic) Violated English law

by appointing Catholics

to office Dissolved Parliament

when protest resulted

Glorious Revolution

Parliament invited James’ daughter Mary and herhusband William of Orange (prince of the Netherlands) to overthrow James’ rule for the sake of Protestantism. 1688-Glorious Revolution

William led army to London and James fled to France Bloodless overthrow

Limits on Monarch’s Power

William and Mary vowed to recognize Parliament as their partner in governing.

England was now a constitutional monarchy (laws limited the ruler’s power).

Limits on Monarch’s Power

English Bill of Rights- lists what a ruler could not do 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

Acted in the ruler’s name but represented the majority party of Parliament

Prime minister- leader of the majority party in Parliament- same system used today

In what ways were the English Bill of Rights similar to the United States’ Bill of Rights?