Which rights were granted to many citizens in the English Bill of Rights
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The English Bill of Rights directly influenced the American Revolution and the United States Constitution. But what was the English Bill of Rights? Created in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution, the Bill of Rights set down limits on a monarch's power and strengthened Parliament, the elected representatives of England's people. Show
English Bill of Rights A constitutional settlement that removed the Catholic King James II and established the new joint rulers, King William III and Queen Mary II, as part of a constitutional monarchy, which limited royal power and strengthened Parliament. Constitutional Monarchy vs. Absolute MonarchyBefore the Glorious Revolution, English kings and queens practiced Absolute Monarchy, where they wielded the greatest control over the people, the church, and the government. These kings, who stretched back to William the Conqueror and his Norman Conquest of 1066, believed that their complete control over their lands and people stemmed from a concept known as the Divine Right of Kings. Kings believed that their powerful positions came directly from God because they were His appointees on Earth. As such, anyone who acted against the King or disagreed with him was going against God's will. This mentality allowed many cases of abuse of power such as arresting dissenters without cause. Alternatively, Constitutional Monarchy gave the most governmental control to the people's representatives in a Parliament or other elected government structure. A constitution, or in this case the Bill of Rights, outlined the limitations on the king's power. Therefore, while an Absolute Monarchy established absolute power for the king, a Constitutional Monarchy limits that power through a constitution and elected governing body. English Bill of Rights Summary, SimplifiedThe English Bill of Rights was written by Parliament and adopted as law in December 1689. It was a combination of established English common laws, the Petition of Right from 1628, and new statutes. It established the following:
Many of the rights included in the Bill of Rights were influenced by the writings of John Locke. John Locke John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and one of the strongest supporters of the Bill of Rights. Many historians argue that his Two Treatises on Government (1689) greatly influenced the Bill's content. Locke argued against the idea that a king was God's appointed representative on earth (Divine Right of Kings), refuting King James II's absolutist policies. His thoughts on governmental checks and balances were later incorporated into the American Constitution.
English Bill of Rights AnalysisThe Bill of Rights was a triumph for Parliament. It incorporated a mix of old (no new taxes without Parliament) and new (free elections) statutes. It was not entirely traditional or conservative, nor was it entirely radical. Historian Lois Schwoerer argues that the Bill was not a condition that William and Mary needed to agree to before they were accepted as king and queen. Schwoerer also explains that William did not passively accept the terms outlined in the Bill to get the throne, a point previously argued by Whig historian Thomas Babington Macaulay in 1849 which was widely accepted as truth. The final document was the result of a compromise between William and Mary and the Houses of Parliament. English Bill of Rights - Key takeaways
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What Rights did the English Bill of Rights Grant?Bill of Rights Page 2
The Bill firmly established the principles of frequent parliaments, free elections and freedom of speech within Parliament – known today as Parliamentary Privilege.
What did the English Bill of Rights put limits on?The English Bill of Rights is an act that the Parliament of England passed on December 16, 1689. The Bill limits the power of the monarchy by creating a separation of powers, therefore enhancing and protecting the rights of citizens.
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