The Petition of Right and the English Bill of Rights
In the 1600s, England was in a long struggle over who should hold power—the king or Parliament. At the center of this conflict were two important documents: the Petition of Right (1628) and the English Bill of Rights (1689). Both helped limit the power of the monarchy and laid the foundation for constitutional government, where leaders must follow the law.
The Petition of Right (1628)
This document was passed by Parliament during the reign of King Charles I. The king had been collecting taxes and imprisoning people without legal cause. Parliament believed the king was abusing his power, so they wrote the Petition of Right to demand change. Some of its most important provisions included:
- The king could not collect taxes without Parliament’s approval
- People could not be imprisoned without being charged with a crime
- Soldiers could not be housed in private homes without permission
- The king had to follow the law—he could not rule however he wanted
Although Charles I accepted the petition at first, he later ignored it. His refusal to share power helped lead to the English Civil War.
The English Bill of Rights (1689)
After the Glorious Revolution, Parliament invited William and Mary to take the throne—but only if they agreed to follow new rules. These rules became the English Bill of Rights, which limited royal power and expanded the rights of Parliament and citizens. Some major provisions included:
- The monarch could not make or cancel laws without Parliament
- Only Parliament could approve taxes
- Citizens had the right to a fair trial and to petition the king
- Cruel and unusual punishment was forbidden
- Elections to Parliament had to be free
This document made it clear that the king or queen had to govern with the consent of the people, through their representatives in Parliament.
Building Constitutional Government
Together, the Petition of Right and the English Bill of Rights helped shift power away from the monarchy and toward a system based on laws and rights. They showed that the king was not above the law, and that government should protect the rights of citizens. These documents became models for future governments—including the U.S. Constitution. By placing limits on power and guaranteeing freedoms, they helped shape the idea of constitutional government that continues to influence the world today.