The Struggle for Power
in England
E.Q. 4: What type of government did
Britain have and how was it
challenged during the Stuart
dynasty?
Key Terms: constitutional
monarchy, Elizabeth I, Tudor,
James I, Stuart, Charles I,
Puritans, Petition of Rights,
English Civil Wars, Cavaliers,
Roundheads, Oliver Cromwell,
Restoration, Charles II, James
II, Glorious Revolution, English
Bill of Rights
Constitutional Monarchy
Limits are
placed on the
power of the
king
Magna Carta,
1215
Parliament—
legislative
body in Britain,
passes laws,
raises taxes
Magna Carta Video
Elizabeth I, 1588 – 1603
Few struggles
w/ Parliament
Popular &
successful
Died w/o an heir,
last of Tudor
dynasty
Throne went to
nearest male
relative
Stuart Dynasty, 1603 –
1688
Ruled England after the Tudor
dynasty
James I, 1603 – 1625 (ElizabEth’s
2nd cousin)
Believed in his divine right
Bad relations w/ Parliament &
Puritans
King James I
Puritans—members of Anglican
Church who wanted to
eliminate any Catholic
influence
As head of Church, James felt
they were challenging his
authority
Charles I, 1625 – 1649 (son of
James I)
Attempted to
est. absolute
monarchy
Did not get
along w/
Parliament or
Puritans
Charles vs. Parliament
Constantly asked for $, did not
get it, would dissolve
Parliament (refuse to allow it
to meet)
Would then get $ his own way,
forcing loans, quartering
soldiers, etc.
Petition of Right, 1628
Called Parliament 1628, asked for
taxes
Was forced to sign Petition of Right,
another document that limited the
king’s powEr
no taxation w/o parliamEnt’s
consent
No imprisonment w/o just cause
No quartering soldiers w/o
subjEcts’ consEnt
Signed Petition, got $, dissolved
Parliament
Charles vs. Puritans
Outlawed Puritan activities
No spreading beliefs, no
Puritan books
Puritans were publicly
whipped, executed
Many migrated to America
Also attacked Calvinist
Scotland & Catholic Ireland
Rebellions broke out, needed $
English Civil Wars
Calls Parliament, asks for $
Draw up list of complaints &
demand to meet at least every
3 yrs.
1641, led troops to arrest 5
Parliament leaders, they
escape
Charles I used force against
the govt.
cavaliErs (king’s army) vs.
roundhEads (parliamEnt’s
army)
Roundheads led by Oliver
Cromwell
Defeat Cavaliers, arrest the
king
Charles I put on trial for
treason
Found guilty, beheaded in 1649
Interregnum, 1649 – 1660
“bEtwEEn kings”
England became
a
commonwealth,
govt. w/
elected
representative
s
Led by Oliver
Cromwell, ruled
as Lord
Protector
Forced Puritan rules—no
drinking, gambling,
swearing, missing Church
cromwEll’s son bEcomEs
next Lord Protector,
ineffective
Stuart Restoration, 1660
Stuart dynasty restored to
power
Charles II, 1660 – 1685 (son
of Charles I)
Followed Parliament even
when he disagreed
Brought peace & stability
James II, 1685 – 1688 (brother of
Charles II)
Tried to
establish
absolute
monarchy
Devout
Catholic,
outlawed
Protestantism
hE’s rEally, rEally old
Parliament decides to wait
until he dies
Protestant daughter Mary &
her husband (William of
Orange) would rule
1688, wife became pregnant
Gave birth to a son,
Parliament feared continued
Catholic rule
Glorious Revolution, 1688
Parliament offered throne to
William & Mary, promised
support even through force
James II hears of plot,
abdicates (gives up throne)
Flees to France just as William
& Mary arrive
Glorious Revolution—peaceful
transfer of power w/o war or
bloodshed
William & Mary agreed to sign
Bill of Rights, 1689—clearly
stated rights of English
citizens
Another document that placed
limits on royal power
Never again would an absolute
monarch rule in England
http://streaming.factsonfile.com/Portal
Playlists.aspx?aid=25930&xtid=3089
5&loid=28269