X NOTES: Glorious Revolution - The English Revolution

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Origin of Parliament

King Henry I created a council in 11th century of nobles and church dignitaries.
By 13th century this council came to be known as Parliament
1215, Magna Carta - tried to safeguard the interests of Barons from encroachments of royal authority and protect merchants from arbitrary taxation.

1640, Charles I was involved in a war with Scotland. He was forced to call Parliament for money.
Parliament forced him to abolish a tax called "ship money" and to sign a bill agreeing not to dissolve Parliament without its own consent.
King, finding his position threatened decided to deal with Parliament severely.
War between King's supporters (Cavaliers) and supporters of Parliament (Roundhead) in 1642.
After 5 year of war Parliament was victorious.
Charles I was captured and publicly executed and Parliament established a republic.

Republic lasted for 11 years.
After the death of Cromwell monarchy was restored. He had played important role in defeating King. He became the 'Lord Protector'. He was a military dictator and had absolute command over its army.
Son of executed King, Charles II was made King.
Charles II and its successor James II tried to assert superiority and monarchy.
In 1688, group of politicians invited William of Orange (Husband of James II's daughter, Mary) ruler of Holland to become King.
Without firing the shot William reached London and James II fled to France.
Throne was granted to William and Mary jointly.
Glorious revolution completely destroyed doctrine of the "Divine Right" of Kings of England.
Glorious revolution marked the triumph of Parliament over monarchy.
No longer were the English Kings to have independent authority of their own.