Democracy in England Vocabulary

Examples Of Magna Carta

1. no taxation without representation 2. right to a jury with every trial

ordeal

Deciding whether someone was guilty or innocent by inducing pain. (burning a tongue and if it heals, their innocent)

King John

Descendant of Henry II, an unpopular king. Fought a costly and unsuccessful war with France. Lost a lot of land and raised taxes to pay for the war. Led to conflict between nobles and him. (Led to signing of important document)

Parliament

England's national legislature

Tudor dynasty

Everyone from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth I. Line of monarchs. Elizabeth died without a child and succeeded by the Stuarts

William the Conqueror

In 1066, Duke of Normandy in France who invaded England and defeated the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings. Then claimed the English throne.

Magna Carta

In 1215 angry nobles rebelled and forced King John to grant guarantees of certain traditional political rights in this document. Had 63 clauses and limited the power of the English monarch of England. (shows how everyone has to obey the law). First major step in democracy in England.

Petition of Right

James I's, son Charles needed funds from Parliament and asked for money in 1628 (3 years after he became king). So, in revenue from taxes, Parliament tried to limit royal power further. It went against theories of absolute monarchy. It is viewed as a landmark in constitutional history. Demanded an end to: -taxing without Parliament's consent -imprisoning citizens illegally -housing troops in citizen's homes -mainting military government in peacetime

jury

King Henry brought this to England. When a royal judge would visit each county at least once a year. The judge would review the crime, and would ask 12 men, often neighbors of the accused, to answer questions and facts about the case. (they didn't decide guilt or innocent though).

common law

Legal decisions made by royal justices were used as precedents in new cases. Gradually, England was unified under a single legal system. This law was common and equal to the whole kingdom

Henry II

One of William the Conqueror's descendants. Ruled from 1154 to 1189. Controlled most of the western half of France, as well as all of England. A man of great wisdom and vigor and one of the most gifted statesman of the 12th century. One of his greatest achievements was the development of the jury trial as a means of administering royal justice.

power of the purse

Parliament's right to approve certain expenses. Appointed to the House of Commons and gave them a strong influence in governing

Oliver Cromwell

Puritan leader who helped antirealists take control of the government. Established a rebuilt called the Commonwealth of England. He spent many of his years crushing a series of uprising against his rule. (Extreme puritans and supporters of monarchy didn't like him) He was unhappy with Parliament's failure to enact his social, religious and economic reforms. He dissolved Parliament in 1653 and created a government called the Protectorate. Became a military dictator, named Lord Protector. His rule was unpopular and increasingly authoritarian

Stuart Dynasty

Succeeded the Tudor dynasty and had relatives from Scotland. Started with James I. They knew little of English Laws and institutions so they closed with Parliament over the rights of the people. 3 issues they disagreed on were: 1. religious reformers, Puritans, were trying to Change the church of England, or Anglican Church, through legislation. (simplify and purify Church doctrines and ceremonies) and James disagreed with them b/c he was the official head of the Church 2. James used the Star Chamber, a royal court of law, to administer justice. He ignored parliamentary courts, which used common law 3. in need of money/ Elizabeth left him in debt. Led to his son asking Parliament for money which led to Petition of Right 4. (also believed in divine rights)

divine rights

The theory claiming that the king was chosen by god to rule

due process of law

This meant that a person had the right to a jury trial and to the protection of the law. This right- to have the law work in known, orderly ways. In other words, the king could not willfully, or arbitrarily punish subjects

restoration

When Cromwell's son, Richard resigned, the throne was given to Charles Stuart. This was the start of a new Parliament and restoration of monarchy. parliament continued to try and limit the monarchy and to expand rights

model parliament

When King John's grandson, Edward the 2nd needed money to pay for another war with France he called everyone to gather (nobles, knights, burgesses, etc.). Established a standard for later parliaments. Helped Edward vote on taxes and improve laws. (led to House of Commons, House of lords, etc.) (remember "what affects all, by all should be approved)

Battle of Hastings

When William the Conqueror invaded England and took over the throne after defeating the Anglo-Saxons. This set in motion events that led to: 1.the end of feudalism- the political and economic system of the Middle Ages 2. the beginnings of centralized government in England 3. the development of democracy

precedents

a new punishment distributed after a case is finished. Used as a guideline for similar cases

Glorious Revolution

a turning point in English constitutional history. Had established its right to limit the English monarch's power and to control succession to the throne

English bill of rights

formal summary of the rights and liberties believed essential to the people. Limited the monarchy's power and protected free speech in Parliament

English Civil War

in 1642, the fight between royalists and anti royalists. When King Charles kept on asking for money, but refused to abide by the rules set by Parliament and admit his wrongdoings to the Parliament. Eventually, antirealists forces won due to the help of Oliver Cromwell. Charles was condemned as a "tyrant, murderer, and public enemy" and was executed

habeas corpus

means "you are ordered to have the body". When someone is arrested, the police must produce the person in court. And they must go through a fair trail

protectorate

republic formed after Oliver Cromwell dissolved Parliament and continued his authoritarian rule

Commonwealth

republic formed by Cromwell that later became Protectorate

House of commons

the lower house of Parliament in which the knights and burgesses filled (gained official role in government). Had the power of the purse

House of Lords

the upper house of Parliament in which was filled with nobles and bishops

Constitutional monarchy

when the powers of the ruler are restricted by the constitution and the laws of the country