Constitutional History Of England Henry VII To George II Vol. I

The constitutional history of England from the reign of Henry VII to that of George II (1485-1760) witnessed a series of significant developments that laid the foundation for the modern British constitution. This period saw the rise of Parliament, the establishment of the rule of law, and the development of fundamental constitutional principles that continue to shape the political landscape of the United Kingdom today.

Constitutional History of England, Henry VII to George II (Vol. 1-3): Complete Edition

by Henry Hallam

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Language	:	English
File size	:	2875 KB
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The Tudor Dynasty

The accession of Henry VII to the English throne in 1485 marked the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. Henry VII was a strong and decisive ruler who sought to restore order and stability to a kingdom that had been ravaged by the Wars of the Roses. He established the Court of Star Chamber, a powerful court that enforced royal justice and suppressed dissent. Henry VII also strengthened the position of the monarchy and reduced the power of the nobility.

The Tudor dynasty was a period of significant constitutional change. The rise of Parliament was one of the most important developments of this period. Parliament, which had been a relatively weak body in the Middle Ages, gradually gained more power and influence. The Tudor monarchs used Parliament to pass laws, raise taxes, and approve royal policies.

Another important constitutional development of the Tudor period was the establishment of the rule of law. The Tudor monarchs enforced the common law and created new statutes to ensure that the king was subject to the law and that all citizens were treated equally under the law. This principle of the rule of law became a cornerstone of the English constitution.

The Stuart Dynasty

The Stuart dynasty succeeded the Tudor dynasty in 1603. The Stuart kings, including James I, Charles I, and Charles II, sought to expand the royal prerogative and limit the power of Parliament. This led to a series of conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament, which culminated in the English Civil War (1642-1651).

The English Civil War was a watershed moment in English constitutional history. The Parliamentarian victory resulted in the execution of Charles I and the establishment of a republic under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. However, the republic was not stable, and the monarchy was restored in 1660.

The Restoration of the monarchy did not end the conflict between the monarchy and Parliament. Charles II and his brother, James II, continued to try to limit the power of Parliament. This led to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed James II and brought William of Orange and Mary Stuart to the throne.

The Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights

The Glorious Revolution was a turning point in English constitutional history. The revolution established the principle of parliamentary supremacy, which meant that Parliament was the supreme lawmaking body in England. The revolution also led to the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1689, which further limited the power of the monarchy and guaranteed certain fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Bill of Rights was a landmark document in the development of the English constitution. It established the principle that the king could not suspend laws without the consent of Parliament, and it guaranteed the right to petition the king and the right to a fair trial. The Bill of Rights also established the principle of freedom of speech and religion.

The Hanoverian Dynasty

The Hanoverian dynasty succeeded the Stuart dynasty in 1714. The Hanoverian kings, including George I, George II, and George III, were not as interested in expanding the royal prerogative as the Stuart kings had been. This allowed Parliament to continue to grow in power and influence.

The Hanoverian period was a time of relative stability and prosperity for England. Parliament continued to pass laws and raise taxes, and the monarchy played a largely ceremonial role. The rule of law was firmly established, and the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights were respected.

The constitutional history of England from the reign of Henry VII to that of George II was a period of significant development and change. The rise of Parliament, the establishment of the rule of law, and the development of fundamental constitutional principles laid the foundation for the modern British constitution. The English constitution continues to evolve today, but the principles established during this period remain at its core.

Constitutional History of England, Henry VII to George II (Vol. 1-3): Complete Edition

by Henry Hallam

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2875 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	1402 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE