Edward the Elder900
England is divided into shires, with county courts to safeguard civil rights
England · Government / Government of England. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
England is divided into shires, with county courts to safeguard civil rights
Establishes the "Kingdom of England"
Divides England into four Earldoms
Henry I tackles abuses of royal power by his predecessor, his brother William Rufus, specifically the over-taxation of the barons, the abuse of vacant sees, and the practices of simony and pluralism
Publication of "Policraticus", a treatise on Government
Refuses to seal the Constitutions of Clarendon
The legal rights of the Church & State are codified at the Council of Clarendon
The Constitutions of Clarendon place limitations on the clergy
Heads the Government during Richard Is absence on the Crusades
The English Parliament has its beginnings in the Council of St Albans
The Barons demand confirmation of the Laws of Edward the Confessor , John delays. The Barons demand confirmation of the charter of Henry I
The Magna Carta confirms priveliges in the accession charter signed by Henry I. John meets the Barons & agrees the 1st draft of the "Charter of Liberties"
John stamps the Royal Seal on the Magna Carta on the island of Runnymede near Windsor
The Magna Carta confirms the rights of the Church & Barons. 25 barons are appointed to oversee the working of the Magna Carta
Imports foreign mercenaries to fight the barons
The Magna Carta remains the basis of English feudal justice
John gets Pope Innoccent III to issue a Papal bull against the Magna Carta
Helps obtain the Magna Carta from King John
1 of 25 barons entrusted with carrying out the Magna Carta
Appeals to the Pope for the abolition of the Magna Carta. Allows London to annually elect a Mayor
Acts as one of King Johns guarantors for the Magna Carta
The Magana Carter is reissued after Henry IIIs coronation
The 1216 version of the Magna Carta is reissued
Marshal dies & rule passes to 3 men, Hubert de Burgh, Peter des Roches & Pandulf
Henrys regents immediately declared their intention to rule by Magna Carta, which they proceeded to do during Henrys minority
Dismisses Castellans & Sheriffs who have held their rights since John
The Magna Carta is re-issued, this version becomes the official text. Men can be exiled, imprisoned & deprived of property only by their peers or the law
A revised version of the Magna Carta is issued
2 knights are summoned to represent each shire to discuss taxation. 1st example of elected representatives meeting to discuss taxation
Parliament must be called 3 times a yr. An oath must be taken to support the constitution
Henry & the Barons must take an oath to observe the Provisions of Oxford.
Parliament will be held 3 times a yr & the households of the king and queen reformed.
Seven leading barons forced Henry to agree to the Provisions of Oxford, which effectively abolished the absolutist Anglo-Norman monarchy, giving power to a council of fifteen barons.
Under the Provisions of Oxford Parliament will be held 3 times a yr & the households of the King and Queen reformed.
Holds "parleys" with his Barons on the Baronial Council, the 1st Parliaments
Fails to reach agreement with Simon de Montfort
Forced to accept de Montforts conditions & the rule of the Barons
De Montfort calls up a pre-Parliament
For the 1st time England is represented in a single chamber at Westminster Hall
Convenes the opening of Parliament which includes commoners for the 1st time
Re-enacts the Provisions of Westminster of 1259 by issuing the Statute of Malborough
From 1274-1286 holds 2 Parliaments per year, the Easter & Michaelmas Parliaments
Begins reforms which over a 20 yrs establish the foundation of a formal Parliament
Instructs a new copy of the Magna Carta be nailed up annually in every major church
Demands Parliament not act against the judiciary until Edward I returns to England
Gloucester demands no aid from Parliament be given until the return of the King
Edward I opens Parliament which consists of the church, barons, shires & burghs
Forced to confirm the Magna Carta & the Charter of the Forest
Scotland is given representation in the English Parliament
New coronation oath binds the King to keep laws passed by consent of the realm
Parliament sets up a committee of 28 barons who rule the country, Lords Ordainers. Agrees to the election of 21 Lords ordainers to reform household & Government
Choices of officers of State are granted to the Barons
One of the Lords Ordainers who demands the banishment of Gaveston and the establishment of a Baronial oligarchy. Lancaster forces Edward II to surrender powers to the 21 Lords Ordainers
The Ordinances of 1311 are put into effect, with Thomas replacing the King's ministers and sheriffs with his own nominees
The Lincoln Parliament declares "that the lord king should do nothing grave or arduous without the advice of the council, and that the Earl of Lancaster should hold the chief place in the council"
A Parliament at York confirms the Treaty of Leek, the Ordinances are confirmed and a new council of seventeen appointed, including eight bishops, four earls, four barons, and one banneret
A Parliament at York confirms the Treaty of Leek, the Ordinances are confirmed and a new council of seventeen appointed, including eight bishops, four earls, four barons, and one banneret
Appointed to rule over England at the head of a council
All Irish laws must be approved by the Privy Council
Makes the 1st request by a Speaker for freedom of speech in the House of Commons
Parliament meets to begin a programme of Church reform that lasts until 1536
Foxe & Cranmer justify the usurpation of papal jurisdiction. Foxe & Cranmer justify the supremacy of the sovereign
The Act of Appeals is passed, the King is to exercise authority through Parliament
The Act of Supremacy clarifies the King's position as head of the Church and the Act for Payment of First Fruits and Tenths substantially increases clerical taxes
Appointed Supreme Head of the Church
The Privy Council replaces the King's Council
The Regency Council will rule by majority, there is no provision for a Protector
Asserts that MPs must not override her in foreign & religious affairs
Decides that the King's Proclamation cannot change the law
Defends the Common Law Courts against the Chancellors rights to interfere in them
Tells Parliament "not to meddle with anything concerning Government"
Claims the right to punish any Member of Parliament who commits a "misdemeanor"
Charles commissioner try to close the Assembly but they are ignored
Charles I concedes the Scottish right to free church assembly and a free Parliament
Expels 140 Presbyterians & Royalists from Parliament, creating the rump Parliament
Fails to persuade Charles to accept Constitutional limitations on monarchy. Agrees Parliaments decision to cease constitutional negotiations with the King
Before the execution of Charles I the Commons makes itself the highest body
A Council of State becomes an executive over the House of Commons
The Commons abolishes the House of Lords, against Cromwell's will
The monarchy is abolished. The House of Lords is abolished
Parliament declares England a commonwealth with supreme authority in the Commons
Calls for the adoption of the Leveller programme. Calls for the trial of the King, the abolition of the Army
The Monarchy is abolished
The House of Lords is abolished, Cromwell wished to keep it as an advisery body
Decides it is necessary for a "settlement of the nation" & a constitution
Heads a committee to discuss what form a new constitution could take
Cromwell holds a conference to discuss a new provisional Government
The Council of State is dissolved, the army is left in power
Cromwell accepts the position of Lord Protector. As Protector, Cromwell has the power to call and dissolve Parliaments but is obliged under the Instrument of Government to seek the majority vote of a Council of State
After the dissolution of the Barebones Parliament, John Lambert puts forward a new constitution known as the Instrument of Government, closely modelled on the Heads of Proposals, it makes Cromwell Lord Protector for life
After the dissolution of the Barebones Parliament, John Lambert puts forward a new constitution known as the Instrument of Government, closely modelled on the Heads of Proposals, it makes Cromwell Lord Protector for life
Tells Parliament that sovereignty is not a mere feather in the hat
Influences Cromwell's decision to divide England and Wales into military districts after Penruddock's rising
Cromwell is offered the crown by Parliament as part of a revised constitutional settlement, presenting him with a dilemma, since he had been "instrumental" in abolishing the monarchy, Cromwell agonises for six weeks over the offer
Makes clear that Gods providence had spoken against his office of king, "I would not seek to set up that which Providence hath destroyed and laid in the dust, and I would not build Jericho again"
Cromwell is installed as Lord Protector under a new constitution
The Upper House will consist of 70 members nominated by Cromwell
An Upper House is established by a Bill passed by Parliament
Presents the "Humble Petition & Advice" to the Commons to the Monarchy & the Lords
42 survivors of Cromwell's dissolution issue a declaration establishing a "commonwealth without a King, single person or Lords
Lambert expells the Rump Parliament & institutes military rule through a Committee of Safety
The Declaration of Rights, if there are no heirs to William & Mary Anne will succeed
The Bill of Rights declares that the Sovereign could not punish members of either House of Parliament for anything said during debates, require excessive bail or inflict cruel or unusual punishments
The Bill of Rights declares that the Sovereign could not raise a standing army during peacetime without Parliamentary consent, deny the right to bear arms to Protestant subjects or unduly interfere with Parliamentary elections.
The Bill of Rights declares that the Sovereign could not suspend laws passed by Parliament, levy taxes without Parliamentary consent or infringe the right to petition.
Helps draft the Declaration of Rights
William III of Orange and Mary accept the Declaration of Rights, establishing a settlement in which the monarchy must govern within law and Parliament's authority.
While in opposition brought forward the Triennial Bill, to which the King refused assent
Calls up the Scottish Estates to name a successor but dissolves it & calls elections
Dissolves the Scotish Estates & calls for elections
This factsheet is generated from stored World History Database records matching the country, broad category, detailed category and exact Event value shown above. Duplicate display records are collapsed; database wording is otherwise preserved. Source provenance varies by record, so formal academic citation should be checked against the relevant primary source, archive or specialist historical reference.