Constitutionalism and The English Civil War

Magna Carta and Its Aftermath (1215)

  • Established principles limiting the power of the King (King John I).

  • Key guidelines included:

    • Rule of law.

    • Popular consent for taxes (taxation requires consent of the governed).

    • Right to trial by jury.

King James I (1603-1625)

  • Faced massive debt and religious conflict, resulting in attempts at absolutism.

  • Major religious tensions:

    • Conflict between Anglicans and Puritans.

    • King James was the head of the Anglican Church, while Puritans aimed to 'purify' the church.

    • Puritans were influential landowners in Parliament, resenting limitations on authority.

  • The Gunpowder Plot (1605):

    • An assassination attempt by Guy Fawkes and a group of Catholics targeting James I and the Protestant aristocracy.

King Charles I (1625-1649)

  • Continued on path of absolutism despite growing tensions.

  • Pro-Anglican policies:

    • In 1633, forbade Puritans from publishing or preaching.

    • In 1637, imposed Anglican practices on Scotland.

  • Key events:

    • Agreement to the Petition of Right (1628):

      • No borrowing or new taxes without parliamentary approval.

      • Protection against unlawful imprisonment.

      • Restrictions on housing troops without permission.

    • Dissolved Parliament for 12 years (1628), resulting in significant budget cuts.

    • The "Short Parliament" (1640): Call for Parliament that was short-lived due to refusal of demands.

    • The "Long Parliament" (1640-1660): Parliament gained significant powers, requiring regular meetings and approval for new taxes.

  • Charles attempted to arrest 5 MPs, leading to increased conflict.

English Civil War (1642-1649)

  • Divided into factions:

    • Royalists (Cavaliers) vs. Parliamentarians (Roundheads).

  • Major leader: Oliver Cromwell, who led the New Model Army to victory.

  • Key outcomes:

    • Charles I surrendered in 1646.

    • Purge of moderates from parliament in 1648.

    • Execution of Charles I in 1649, leading to the establishment of a constitutional republic.

The Commonwealth (1649-1653) and The Protectorate (1656-1660)

  • Led by Cromwell, who became known as the Lord Protector.

  • Significant actions:

    • Instituted martial law and crushed rebellions in Ireland and Scotland.

    • Dismissed Parliament permanently, leading to military dictatorship.

    • Aimed for religious tolerance, excluding Catholics.

The Restoration (1660-1688)

  • King Charles II, son of Charles I, restored to monarchy.

  • Events during Charles II's reign:

    • The Cavalier Parliament restored the Anglican Church and pardoned Puritan rebels.

    • Revisions to laws:

      • 1673 Habeas Corpus Act protected against unlawful detention.

      • The Act of Uniformity (1662) mandated the Anglican