Study Notes on English Monarchy and Governance from the Roman Empire to the Elizabethan Era

The Rise of Kings and the Structure of Governance in the Roman Empire

Transition from Roman Empire to Feudal Structures
- Circa November, kings begin taking control of local governors within the Roman Empire.
- These kings controlled land through a system of rental to the peasants and hired nobility’s knights for protection.
- By the 15th and 16th centuries, the social hierarchy included:
- Kings ruling over regions
- Lords or nobles directly underneath
- Merchant class and peasants beneath them.

Example: King Henry VIII (1509 - 1547)
- Held both political and religious power, acting as King and head of the Church of England.
- Influential events included:
- The posting of Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517, challenging the Catholic Church’s authority.
- The concept of Divine Right of Kings:
  - Kings were considered appointed by God, thus absolving them from earthly laws ("rules for thee, not for me").
Marriage and Succession Issues
- Henry VIII’s first marriage was to Catherine of Aragon, who bore him only a daughter, Mary.
- King Henry desired a male heir; Catholic doctrine prevented him from remarrying if he wished to maintain his legitimacy.
- His desire to annul his marriage led to a split with the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation:
- Henry separated from the Church to allow himself a divorce, thus forming the Church of England.
Marriages
- Married six times in total:
  - Catherine of Aragon - produced Mary (future Queen Mary)
  - Anne Boleyn - mother of Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth)
  - Annulled his marriage to Anne after three years; imprisoned and executed her.
  - Had a son, Edward, with his third wife.
Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity
- Passed acts that:
- Declared the monarch as the head of the Church of England.
- Made practicing Protestantism legally mandated, empowering Henry as a ruler.

King Edward
- Henry’s son who ruled briefly and controversially.
- Overstepped Mary and Elizabeth’s claims to the throne under the belief that Henry’s annulled marriages invalidated their legitimacy.
- His reign was marked by instability, leading to his early demise.
Queen Mary (Bloody Mary)
- Restored Catholicism and pursued a campaign against Protestants, earning her nickname.
- Imprisoned Elizabeth, fearing her potential influence.
- Executed several Protestants, instigating large unrest.
Queen Elizabeth (1558 - 1603)
- Became queen after Mary’s demise, capitalizing on her sister's unpopularity.
- Ruled with a combination of Protestant promotion and careful tolerance.
- Ended up executing Mary for treason after being rescued from prison.

Historical Context
- Post-fall of the Byzantine Empire, Western Europe fell into chaos, transitioning into feudalism.
- The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, established:
- Limits on monarchal power.
- Recognition that the king must consider the voices of his nobles and subjects, especially concerning taxation and governance.
King Charles I
- Ruled England for 49 years starting in 1600, angering the populace by attempting to dissolve Parliament.
- Arrogantly proclaimed his divine right to rule, disregarding the Magna Carta.
Conflict and the English Civil War (1642-1651)
- The tension led to a conflict between royal and parliamentary forces.
- The Parliament had financial supremacy and military backing eventually leading them to victory.
- Resulted in a precedent for a limited monarchy where the king must share power with Parliament.

Modern Monarchy
- The tradition of limited monarchy survives to this day, where the monarch serves as a figurehead with ceremonial purposes.
- Effective decision-making power resides within the Prime Minister and Parliament, continuing to grow in influence through British history.