Britain developed many common legal protections over time through disputes between kings and parliaments. Key events included the Magna Carta in 1215 guaranteeing political rights, the introduction of jury trials and habeas corpus, and the English Civil War, which established Parliament's authority and led to a constitutional monarchy with William and Mary in 1689. This limited the powers of rulers and planted the seeds for democracy in England.

1. DEMOCRACY IN
ENGLAND
Britain develops laws and customs that limit the power of
the government
!1

2. WHY ARE WE STUDYING
THIS MR. PERRY?
Many of the common legal protections we have
in THIS country were developed in England first!
!2

3. ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
common law
Magna Carta
due process of law
habeas corpus
Parliament
divine right
Constitutional Monarchy
!3

4. !4
King Kalakaua

5. King James
!5

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

7. Henry II
(1133-1189)
introduces the
jury trial as a
means of
administering
justice
!7

8. !8

9. !9

10. !10

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

16. British Parliament
***
taxes
law
advises the king

17. British Parliament
today

18. US House of Representatives

19. James I (1566-1625)
claims
Divine Right
Clashes with
Parliament

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

22. Charles later dissolves Parliament
and refuses to let them meet until
he needs money.

23. English Civil War

24. Oliver Cromwell aka the puritan “Protectorate”

28. Cromwell’s government collapses
Monarchy is “restored” with
Charles II in 1660
This time Parliament retains its rights
and authority

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