Pre-Civil War England History of the Constitution of the United Kingdom

1 pre-civil war england

1.1 before norman conquest
1.2 normans
1.3 plantagenets
1.4 tudors
1.5 james vi , i

pre-civil war england

before norman conquest

the kingdom of england formed in mid 9th century; example, alfred great issued laws king of west saxons, , recognised england came in 927 ad when last of heptarchy kingdoms fell under rule of king of english, athelstan. on 14 october 1066, king harold ii of england killed while leading men in battle of hastings against duke william of normandy. event changed course of english history. until 1066, england ruled monarchs elected witan, (meaning wise). there various elements of democracy @ local level too, known folkmoot.

the normans

henry of england (c. 1068 – 1 december 1135) king 1100 1135, ruling through curia regis. when ascended throne granted charter of liberties, series of decrees , assurances barons. important statement in charter @ beginning, king admits mercy of god , common counsel of barons of whole kingdom of england have been crowned king of said kingdom . represented step away absolute rule; king had recognised right rule came not god common counsel of barons.

the plantagenets

king john (24 december 1167 – 19 october 1216) king of england 1199 1216. youngest brother of richard i. reign fraught conflicts; there conflict between england , france, between england , pope , between king , barons. barons forced john sign magna carta, practical solution political crisis faced in 1215, established first time principle everybody, including king, subject law.

henry iii (1 october 1207 – 16 november 1272) succeeded father john. henry 9 years of age when became king , country ruled regents until henry reached age of 20. under pressure barons, led simon de montfort, 6th earl of leicester, henry had accept constitutional limitations on monarchy placed provisions of oxford , provisions of westminster , existence of first representative english parliament.

the ordinances of 1311 series of regulations imposed on king edward ii lords , higher clergy restrict power of king.

later in 14th century, during reign of richard ii, there uprising known peasants revolt (1381). rebels came close demands (such fair rents , abolition of serfdom) being granted king, @ end protesters tricked out of such gains. revolt remains important moment in history, failed contribute written body of constitution.

the tudors

the first act of supremacy (1534) made king henry viii supreme head of church of england. henry viii died in 1547, leaving 3 children potential heirs.

the second act of supremacy (1559) restored these powers on church elizabeth i, reversing normalising legislation passed during reign of sister mary i, although title elizabeth gained supreme governor of church of england rather supreme head , not imply had control on church s doctrine, or, monarch usurping primacy of jesus. act required office-holders, including clergy, take oath of allegiance acknowledging queen supreme governor of church of england.

the monarchy had consent of parliament in issues, threat of war looming spain, parliament showed great loyalty toward queen elizabeth, strong leader. however, after spanish armada defeated in 1588, parliament felt safer , decreased loyalty monarchy.

parliament consisted of 2 levels of administration: house of lords made of influential peers of realm , lords spiritual, , house of commons, consisted of representative members of aristocracy , middle-class.

the house of commons had grown sharply, doubling in size due prosperity of middle-class during time. there number of vocal puritans in house of commons (although extent influenced commons disputed, sir john neale identified unified bloc of 43 members, whereas revisionists have suggested exaggeration) began asking more rights puritans, elizabeth strong enough ignore demands. james later have problems them.

john aylmer, greek scholar, saw immediate resemblance of tudor constitution of classical republic of sparta. geoffrey elton, wrote tudor constitution, gave hearty approval aylmer s conclusions. greek scholars, such aylmer, popularised greek classical political terminology , influenced english , later british constitutionalist thought. brought forward idea of mixed government classical antiquity , applied form of government.

james vi , i

when queen elizabeth died in 1603 without issue, succeeded cousin james vi of scotland, son of mary, queen of scots, , became king james of england. major step towards creating single british state, although kingdom of great britain did not come until hundred years later.

james vi faced fractious religious england since contained anglicans (of church of england), puritans, separatists (who wanted break church of england), , many roman catholics, although many did not declare continuing allegiance rome, cause of mistrust.

james vi believer in divine right of kings, stated kings chosen god , should therefore absolute , answerable god. corroborated presbyterian belief in predestination, , such birthright kingship made him explicitly part of elect. though presbyterian (calvinist, huguenot, puritan), against presbyterian idea of allowing congregation (people) elect presbyters (church officials) since undermined absolutism (according divine right). @ odds puritans, english presbyterians.

he did concede puritans commissioning king james bible , english language translation , interpretation of bible.

then james vi began fighting roman catholics, gave them rights (after secretly catholic wife persuaded him to), exempting them having pay tithes anglican church, caused great decrease in anglican church revenue, took rights away. actions of king james vi unpopular during reign.