State Building in England

Evolution Toward Parliamentary Monarchy

Characteristics of Parliamentary Monarchy

• Also called Constitutional Monarchy

• Parliament can approve or deny taxes

• Monarch is legally bound by the Constitution

• Result of an abuse of power

James I(1603-1625)

Queen Elizabeth’s Cousin and first Stuart King

Inherited royal debt and a divided church

Seen as pro-Catholic b/c he made peace with Spain, relaxed laws vs. Catholics. Hesitated to aid German Protestants in the 30 Years War and married his son off to a Catholic Princess.

Believed in the Divine Right of Kings

Supported the Church of England vs. Puritan attempts to reform it

Charles I(1625-1649)

• Unable to obtain funds for war vs. Spain so made new tariffs, forced-loans, and revived old taxes.

• 1628 Parliament responded with the Petition of Right (abolished forced loans, non-Parliamentary taxes, quartering of troops in homes and no prison without due cause.

• Charles agrees to its condition but fails to live up to its terms. Parliament protests and is then dissolved.

Personal Rule• High Anglicanism

• Chief Minister, Thomas Wentworth instituted thorough, which called for efficiency and administrative centralization

• England became isolationist and prosperous = popular with commoners.

• 1640 Charles needed money to put down a Scottish rebellion and calls Parliament. They give a list of grievances and are dissolved.

The Long Parliament

• After a setback later that year he reconvenes the Long Parliament. (1640-1660)

• HoC impeaches and later executes Wentworth and Laud

• Parliament is to meet at least every three years and can’t be dissolved.

Division in Parliament

Presbyterians• Calvinist• more moderate• Wanted local congregations

under higher authorities (presbyteries)

Independents• More extreme• Wanted every congregation

independent

Both wanted to end the Episcopacy and Book of Common Prayer.

Conservatives in Parliament wanted the status quo.

English Civil War(1642-1646)

• 1641 Grand Remonstrance: summary of grievances.

• The King leaves London and raises an army. Parliament passes the Militia Ordinance to raise their own and war begins.

• Puritans tend to favor Parliament.

• Ally with Scotland in exchange for Presbyterian System

• Parliament wins, Charles is executed and the monarchy, HoL and Anglican Church abolished

Oliver Cromwell(1649-1660)

• Led the New Model Army against the King

• Conquered Ireland and Scotland

• 1653 dissolves Parliament and becomes Lord Protector of a military dictatorship

• Extremely unpopular

Charles II(1660-1685) Return of monarchy and Anglican Church

Believed in freedom of religion. Was secretly going to convert to Catholicism for subsidy from Louis XIV

1661- 1665 Anglican Parliament passes Clarendon Codes to suppress Catholics, Presbyterians and Independents

1672 Charles issues Declaration of Indulgence that undoes Clarendon Codes

Parliament counters with Test Act.

James II(1685-1688)

Wanted Test Act repealed. Congress refuses and is dissolved. Catholics appointed to high positions.

1687 issues 2nd Declaration of Indulgence

1688 Has a son and ruins Protestant hopes of his daughter, Mary, taking over.

The Glorious Revolution• Parliament invites Mary and William of Orange to

take the throne. They arrive with an army and James flees to France

• Bill of Rights - limits powers of monarchy’s powers

• Toleration Act – permits all Protestants to worship but outlaws Catholics

• Act of Settlement – allows crown to go to House of Hanover

George I and Robert Walpole

• George I faces challenges to his power until Robert Walpole takes over.

• Walpole acts as first Prime Minister and sets up the Cabinet system.

• Walpole Handled the HoC well and used patronage to build support.