British Monarchy: What were the major milestones in the British Monarchy’s losing its powers over the centuries?

British Monarchy: What were the major milestones in the British Monarchy’s losing its powers over the centuries?

The Magna Carta, of course, had the most profound effect on the monarchy and the rights of the aristocracy, but the efforts of The Peasant’s Revolt of 1381 was the beginning of a long and unceasing assault on the placement of power in the ruling classes in England and in English law itself.

As an aside, John of Gaunt, who played a significant role in English Parlimentary rule through excessive taxation and in the Peasant’s Revolt over that taxation and religious freedoms, would sire the Beaufort line who would found the Tudor Dynasty, including Henry VIII. Henry would attempt to reset dynastic rule and remove the yoke of the Catholic Church from England, thus securing the church’s wealth for a very cash-strapped England of that time.

Also, Henry’s change in faith was more than just his desire to wed Anne Boleyn. It also involved the fact that at that time, the church was far wealthier than the monarchy, a fact that Henry detested and changed his ideas on the self rule of nations more than mere sexual desire. The dichotomy of his writings on faith, as well as his actions, throughout his reign demonstrate this.

These, as well as those events cited by Mark in his post, are only a few examples of how England’s system of laws evolved from the view of rule by divine right to today’s system where the monarchy stands as a figurehead more than anything else.

For those who are truly interested in England’s history and how the English rule of law changed, I would recommend reading Winston Churchill’s The History of the English Speaking Peoples. While not the most comprehensive study of England, it is an enjoyable and well written overview of English history.

(http://www.quora.com/Renee-Porter-1)