The Development Of Constitutional Monarchy In England — страница 2

really in control of the government. Charles II was there to be a head figure. Charles II tried to make some rash decisions by himself. He tried ally with the French king Louis XIV. Parliament did not like this and they didn t allow it. So once again parliament was making the decisions. As England went through king after king parliament seemed to getting stronger and stronger, by making deals with these up and coming new kings. After Charles II died parliament seemed to develop even more. There were two parties, the Whigs and the Tories. These two parties discussed on if the king should have more or less power. So parliament was controlling the amount of power that the kings of England should have. Whigs thought the king should have less power, and the Tories thought that the

king should have more power. An absolute monarch would make be the one allowing how much power he should have and distributing the rest of the power amongst the others. But parliament is doing it the opposite way. England did not develop into an absolute monarchy during the Ancien Regime during the periods of 1624 – 1714 because of the Stuart family s rule. James II was the next in line to become king of England. James II believed in what is father believed in also that he was a divine right monarch. His rule was very short. He believed the opposite that past kings had thought. He believed that Catholicism should be legal through out England. He also wanted a standing army of 30,000 men. Parliament was worried why he would want such a big standing army. Parliament did not like

him as king so the threatened him. James II and his 19-year-old wife fled to France. England did not develop into an absolute monarchy during the Ancien Regime during the periods of 1624 – 1714 because of the Stuart family s rule. Then there was Mary, daughter of James II, and William, husband of Mary. Parliament once again controlled their being king and queen of England. They made them sign the English Bill of Rights. This document basically guaranteed that parliament has to write the law, and did not guarantee freedom of religion and press. The extracts from this document that follow bring about some things that parliament can do, and what the king and queen cannot do. That election of Members of Parliament ought to be free. This means that the king may not interfere with

elections. That levying money for or to the use of the Crown, by pretence of prerogative, without grant of Parliament, for longer time, or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted is illegal. This statement means that the king may not raise money what so ever without parliament s permission. There is also a clause that ensures that the parliament cannot be punished for what they say, or they have freedom of speech. These examples just show the power of parliament at the end of the Late Stuart s rule. England did not develop into an absolute monarchy during the Ancien Regime during the periods of 1624 – 1714 because of the Stuart family s rule. With these examples, there is no way that England could have ever developed into an absolute monarchy. Parliament had too

much control over the kings starting from Charles I going through his children and their children. 372