World History The British Parliament : Magna Carta, The Petition of Right, The Bill of Rights

Summary

The history of the United Kingdom is shaped by the evolving power struggle between the monarchy and Parliament. Beginning with King John's loss of land and the signing of the Magna Carta, which limited royal authority, the conflict intensified through events like the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. Key milestones include the formation of the first representative parliament, the rise of the divine right of kings, and the eventual establishment of a constitutional monarchy with the Bill of Rights. These events transformed England’s political landscape, highlighting the shift from absolute monarchy to parliamentary power.

Takeaways

• 😀 The history of the United Kingdom revolves around the power struggle between the monarchy and Parliament.
• 😀 King John, who lost his lands due to mismanagement, called a council that led to the creation of the Magna Carta, which required royal approval for new taxes.
• 😀 Magna Carta set the precedent that the king must obtain Parliament's approval before imposing new taxes, though this principle was frequently violated.
• 😀 Henry III, King John's son, ignored this principle, resulting in the formation of Simon de Montfort's Parliament, the first representative English Parliament.
• 😀 Edward I called the 'Model Parliament' to raise taxes for unifying Britain, which marked the emergence of the gentry and the division of Parliament into the House of Lords and Commons.
• 😀 Despite Parliament's growing power, the authority of the crown regained dominance after the Wars of the Roses, and the theory of divine right of kings emerged.
• 😀 The divine right of kings doctrine asserted that the king’s authority came from God, and rebellion against the king was considered unacceptable.
• 😀 King Charles I’s actions led to conflict with Parliament, particularly when he ignored the Petition of Right, which demanded limits on taxation without parliamentary consent.
• 😀 The English Civil War broke out between supporters of King Charles I and Parliament, resulting in Charles's execution and the rise of Puritan leader Oliver Cromwell.
• 😀 After Cromwell's death, Parliament restored the monarchy, but tensions continued, leading to the Glorious Revolution and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.
• 😀 The Glorious Revolution saw Parliament expel Catholic King James II, replacing him with Protestant monarchs Mary II and William III, who agreed to the Bill of Rights, cementing parliamentary supremacy.

Q & A

What was the original purpose of the council summoned by King John?

King John summoned the council to raise money for his deteriorating finances after losing his lands on the continent.

What is the significance of the Magna Carta in English history?

The Magna Carta, imposed on King John, established the principle that the king must obtain parliament's approval before levying any new taxes, marking an important step in limiting royal power.

How did Henry III violate the Magna Carta, and what was the result?

Henry III violated the Magna Carta by unilaterally imposing a new tax to regain his lands. This sparked a backlash from the nobility and led to the opening of Simon de Montfort's Parliament.

What was the importance of Simon de Montfort's Parliament?

Simon de Montfort's Parliament is considered the first English representative parliament, as it included representatives from the counties and towns, rather than just the nobility.

What was the Model Parliament, and what role did it play in the development of the British Parliament?

The Model Parliament, called by Edward I, included representatives from the gentry and common people, marking a significant shift towards a more inclusive and institutionalized parliamentary structure.

What were the consequences of the fall of the feudal lords in England?

The fall of the feudal lords due to the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of the Roses led to a concentration of power back in the monarchy, while weakening the authority of Parliament.

How did the divine right of kings affect the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament?

The divine right of kings doctrine asserted that a king's authority came from God, making rebellion against the monarch unacceptable and deepening the conflict between King and Parliament.

What triggered the English Civil War, and what was the outcome for King Charles I?

The English Civil War was triggered by King Charles I's refusal to comply with Parliament's demands for tax limitations and his persecution of Puritans. The war ended with Charles I's execution.

What happened after Oliver Cromwell took power in England?

After overthrowing the monarchy, Oliver Cromwell declared a Commonwealth and set up a military dictatorship as Lord Protector. However, his rule was unpopular and collapsed after his death.

What was the significance of the Glorious Revolution in England's political system?

The Glorious Revolution resulted in the expulsion of King James II and the installation of William III and Mary II as monarchs. It marked the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with Parliament's approval of the Bill of Rights.