6. William the Conquerer
William of Normandy conquers Britain
Sets the stage for:
- Decline of Feudalism
- Centralized Government in England
- Plants the seeds of Democracy
Battle of Hastings 1066
!6
11. Royal Judge hears testimony from 12 witnesses and peers (jury) of
the accused to help him judge the case.
!11
12. A body of law develops
known as
Common Law
Reflects customs and
principles
developed over time
(aka “precedent”)
!12
13. In 1215 a dispute
between The King and his
Nobles lead to the
Magna Carta
“great charter”
A written document that
guarantees specific
political rights.
!13
14. King John I
King must rule according
to law
Fairness of the laws and
their execution
Have the law work in a
known and orderly way
(“due process”)
Respect for economic rights
!14
15. habeas corpus = “show me the body”
People must be informed of what they are accused
of in a court of law and be shown evidence used against them
Prevents authorities from detaining a person wrongly or unjustly
!15
21. Tensions rise with Charles I (1625)
Asks parliament for money.
In exchange, parliament requires
the Petition of Right
which restricts...
- taxation without parliament's ok
- illegal imprisonment
- housing troops in private homes
- maintaining military government
in peacetime
29. Parliament is concerned that James II is
“too Catholic”
He is removed and replaced with
William and Mary
who agree to a
Constitutional Monarchy
30. Constitutional Monarchy
powers of the rulers are limited by
Parliament
William and Mary agree to accept the
Bill of Rights
King can’t suspend laws
no taxes w/o Parliament consent
no armies in peacetime
right to petition grievances
no cruel or unusual punishments
