The English Revolution

In England the monarch's power was limited by the two houses of Parliament (the House of Lords and the House of Commons). He needed their approval to start a war or set new taxes up.

Nobles and high clergy. House of Lords.
Middle class. House of Commons.

In the 17th century a new dynasty, the Stuarts, tried to rule without the parliament like the king of France.This caused a major conflict between Parliament, specially the House of Commons, and king Charles I that ended in a Civil War between:

Defenders of parliament
Defenders of absolutism.

In the end parliament's supporters won the war and Charles I was accused of treason against the people of Britain and beheaded. Great Britain became a republic ruled by a Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell´s power grew and grew until he became himself a dictator. When he died parliament reinstated the monarchy. The new king, Charles II, son of the late Charles I, swore the new Bill of Rights that limited the power of the king and submitted his decisions to Parliament. But the next king, James II tried to get his royal powers back and was overthrown and replaced by William III who accepted to share his powers with parliament.
Britain became the first parliamentarian monarchy inspiring the following enlightened thinkers

Actividad

Draw up a chart about the English political system