Democratic Developments in England Feudalism People needed protection

Democratic Developments in England

Feudalism § People needed protection and a system of security evolved § Feudalism § Local lords provided knights to provide protection in exchange for loyalty

Common Law § Henry II extended the system of justice to ensure the king couldn’t make new laws § He had to follow excepted customs § He sent out traveling judges § Judges decisions were accepted as Common Law

Magna Carta § 1215 – Rebellious barons forced King John to accept the Magna Carta § Magna Carta – Listed the feudal rights of lords and common people § Also made the king agree not to raise taxes without consulting his Great Council (Parliament)

Rights for Common People § Protected against: § Arbitrary arrest § Arbitrary imprisonment § Arbitrary legal action § Could only be done by his peers or by law (Due Process)

Important Principles of the Magna Carta § Two Important Principles § Nobles had rights § These rights would extend to the common man over time § Monarchs must obey the law

The Tudors & Parliament § When Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church he turned to Parliament to legalize his actions § Act of Supremacy – made him head of the church § Parliament voted in favor of seizing monastery land

Taxes § Henry frequently met with Parliament to levy approved taxes § Elizabeth did this as well

The Early Stuarts § Elizabeth died without an heir and her family from Scotland, the Stuarts became the ruling family § Weren’t popular and conflicted with Parliament § James I clashed with Parliament over money and foreign policy § He dissolved Parliament

Parliament Responds § James son, Charles I became king in 1625 and behaved like his father did, as an absolute monarch § Needing money from taxes, Charles summoned Parliament, but before he could get it Parliament wanted him to sign the Petition of Right

Petition of Right § It prohibited the king from raising taxes without Parliament’s consent § Prohibited the king from imprisoning anyone without just cause § Charles didn’t sign it and absolved Parliament § Scotland revolted against England Charles needed funds to suppress the rebellion so he called Parliament back § Parliament revolted against the king as well

Execution of a King § Parliament put king Charles on trial and found him guilty of being “a tyrant, traitor, murderer and public enemy” § § Charles was executed in 1649 This was the first time that a ruling monarch had been tried and executed by his people

The Kingless Decade § The House of Commons abolished: § The monarchy § House of Lords § The Church of England § They declared England a republic known as the Commonwealth § Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector

End of the Commonwealth § The Commonwealth ends when Cromwell dies in 1658 § A newly elected Parliament brought Charles II back from exile to be king in 1660

The Stuarts Restored § Charles II was a popular ruler and restored theaters, taverns and the Church of England § Charles accepted the Petition of Right

The Glorious Revolution § James II became king and threatened to make England Catholic § Parliament got James’ Protestant daughter and husband from the Dutch Republic to attack James with their army § James fled to France & William & Mary became co-rulers

William and Mary § Before they could rule they had to accept an English Bill of Rights

Limits on Royal Power § The English Bill of Rights § § § Made Parliament superior to the monarchy Required the monarch to summon Parliament every year The monarch couldn’t debate or veto Parliamentary laws Said no Catholic can sit on the throne England became a limited monarchy § Government that limits a monarch’s powers § English citizens have the right to: § § § Trial by jury No cruel or unusual punishment Must be charged with a crime before going to prison § Habeas Corpus