The Long Parliament was a period of the English Parliament that lasted from 1640 to 1660, during which significant political conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament unfolded, leading to the English Civil War and the eventual establishment of a constitutional monarchy. It emerged in response to King Charles I's attempts to govern without Parliament and became crucial in asserting parliamentary power and civil rights against royal authority.
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The Long Parliament was convened in November 1640 after King Charles I's failure to raise funds without Parliament's consent, marking a shift towards parliamentary sovereignty.
One of its first actions was to pass the Triennial Act, which required that Parliament be called at least once every three years, limiting the king's power to dissolve it.
Tensions escalated during the Long Parliament, leading to a split between supporters of King Charles I and those favoring parliamentary supremacy, ultimately igniting the English Civil War.
The Long Parliament also played a key role in establishing laws that curtailed the king's powers and protected individual rights, paving the way for future constitutional changes.
After the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Long Parliament continued to operate until it was dissolved by Oliver Cromwell in 1653, marking a significant change in English governance.
Review Questions
How did the Long Parliament challenge the authority of King Charles I and set the stage for the English Civil War?
The Long Parliament challenged King Charles I's authority by asserting parliamentary rights and passing key legislation like the Triennial Act. This act mandated that Parliament be convened regularly, which directly limited Charles’s ability to govern unilaterally. The growing tensions between the monarchy and Parliament eventually escalated into open conflict, igniting the English Civil War as factions emerged either supporting royal prerogative or advocating for parliamentary sovereignty.
What were some significant legislative achievements of the Long Parliament that transformed English governance?
The Long Parliament achieved several significant legislative milestones that transformed English governance. One major accomplishment was the passage of the Triennial Act, which ensured that Parliament met at least every three years. Additionally, it enacted various laws aimed at restricting royal authority, including reforms that diminished the king's power over taxation and military matters. These changes laid critical groundwork for future constitutional developments and emphasized the growing power of parliamentary institutions.
Evaluate the impact of the Long Parliament on the relationship between monarchy and parliament in England post-1660.
The impact of the Long Parliament on monarchy-parliament relations post-1660 was profound. Its assertive stance against King Charles I established a precedent for parliamentary supremacy, fundamentally altering perceptions of governance. Following its dissolution, England experienced shifts towards constitutional monarchy during subsequent reigns. The events initiated by the Long Parliament contributed to ongoing tensions that would eventually culminate in further conflicts such as the Glorious Revolution, embedding principles of parliamentary authority into English political culture.
A series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers) that took place from 1642 to 1651 over issues of governance and authority.
The king of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 until his execution in 1649, whose conflicts with Parliament led to the English Civil War.
Pride's Purge: A military coup that took place in December 1648, when Colonel Thomas Pride led troops to remove members of Parliament who were not aligned with the New Model Army, resulting in the Rump Parliament.