1. Constitutionalism

2. The Alternative
England and the Netherlands became powerful states while rejecting Absolutism
Limits and laws that restricted royal authority and provided certain rights to their subjects
These are not customs, such as in France, these are actual legal frameworks were authority was shared among different groups and levels

3. England the Puritan Revolution
Since 1215 the English kings power has always been limited however many Kings have tried to get around this
The crisis of the 1600s arrived with Charles I- attempted to govern as an absolutist- gained funds from expeditions and avoiding parliament
Charles also pursued a vary oppressive religious campaign- he was very sympathetic to Catholics (he spoke French and married Louis XVIII’s sister, essentially approving Catholic rites)
Protestants (Puritans) fled for America, Scots rebelled against Charles and his religious reforms

4. England the Puritan Revolution
The Parliament of England passed some laws that restricted the collection of taxes and the dissolving of parliament by the king
Long story short the Parliament rebelled against the King and his loyal followers (and the army)- Charles raised an army of loyal nobles, Irish Catholics and many cavalry officers (Cavaliers) and the Parliament raised an army from the navy, the infantry and many religious fanatics (Roundheads)
Led by Oliver Cromwell, the Roundheads were victorious and executed Charles I- beginning a Republic
Lasted 11 years as a republic however it acted as a protectorate with Cromwell has leader
He dies in 1558 and the parliament decided that a restored, constitutional monarch was the best option for England- Charles II ( ) becomes the new king

6. The Glorious Revolution
Charles II was restored as a very limited monarch…but he was very sympathetic to Catholicism and loved Absolutism- the heir to the throne, James was a practicing Catholic
Test Act only people who supported the state religion could hold appointed civil/military positions
James II ( ) came to the throne and started appointing Catholics…but he was an old man and he didn’t seem like a threat (his daughter Mary was a protestant_
Then he had a second wife…and another child…who was a boy…whose mother was Catholic

7. The Glorious Revolution
Fearful of the future a group of the king’s supports as well as opponents crossed the English channel to Holland
They asked William of Orange, the protestant husband of Mary and grandson of the ruler of Holland (a republic) to come to England and rule
William accepted- he had a massive army and he saw this as an opportunity to be a competitor to Louis XIV (who was his absolute enemy)
Bloodless Revolution- no death- James II and his family fled to France- William and Mary were proclaimed as joint monarchs and they agreed to the 1689 Bill of Rights
Firmly affirmed a government by law and constitution- makes England into an oligarchy though, ruled by a wealthy, mostly landowning aristocracy