Did England become a democracy under the Stuarts?

Absolute Monarchy

Monarch has supreme authority and power

Sovereignty

Supreme authority and power in a democracy, parliament is said to be ‘sovereign’

11 Years of Tyranny

Period Between 1629-40 in which Charles I did not call a parliament

Interregnum

Period between 1649-60 when England was without a monarch i.e. it was a republic

Levellers

Group that campaigned for the right to vote for all men

Bill of Rights

Limited the monarch’s power. Law reaffirmed parliament’s rights and gave new ones e.g. free speech in debates

Lord Protector

Title taken by Cromwell. He refused parliament’s offer of the crown.

Constitutional Monarchy

Monarchy in which the monarch’s power is limited so that parliament is sovereign

1603

James I becomes King

1614

James I closed the Addled Parliamen after Just 8 Weeks

1625

James I dies. His son, Charles I becomes King

1629

Charles I closes Parliament

1640

Parliament Returns When Charles Needs Money for War with Scotland

1642

Civil War begins. Charles tries to arrest 5 MPs

1649

Charles I executed. Levellers Killed

1653

Cromwell becomes Lord Protector

1656

Cromewell Closes the Protectorate Parliament. Major Generals Appointed in each region.

1660

Charles II becomes King

1685

Charles II dies. His brotherr, James II becomes King.

1688

Glorious Revolution

1689

Bill of Rights signed by William III and Mary II

James I

Believed in the divine right of kings. King of Scotland when he succeeded Elizabeth in 1603

Charles I

Executed during the Civil War. Fought a civil war with parliament for control of government

Charles II

Restored monarchy in 1660. Son of Charles I. Returned from exile to be crowned king in 1660.

James II

Overthrown in the Glorious Revolution. Alarmed Parliament by allowing catholics to serve in the army and government

Oliver Cromwell MP

Lord Protector during Interregnum. General of the parliamentary army.

John Pym

One of the 5 MPs Charles I tried to arrest in Parliament.

William III & Mary II

William was a Dutch royal and successful soldier who married James II’s daughter, Mary II

Anne

Sister of Mary II. Last Monarch to Reject a law passed by parliament.