Eleanor Finch
The United Kingdom is a democratic constitutional monarchy, where the head of state inherits their office from their parents and holds it until their death. The roots of the UK's constitutional monarchy can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era and the multiple kingdoms that existed before the formation of England as a single polity in the first millennium CE. The passage of the Petition of Right in 1628, which established specific liberties of subjects that the king was prohibited from infringing, is considered by some historians as the founding of the UK's modern constitutional monarchy. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 further established the idea of Parliament as the ruling power of England, and the Bill of Rights of 1689 curtailed the power of the monarchy. The final transition to a constitutional monarchy was made during the reign of Queen Victoria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment | 1628 (founding of modern constitutional monarchy), 1649-1660 (monarchy abolished and replaced with republican government), 1688-1689 (Glorious Revolution established Parliament as ruling power), 1707 (kingdoms of England and Scotland merged), 1801 (Kingdom of Ireland joins to create United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland), 1921 (peak of British Empire), 1965 (monarch stopped being involved in Tory leadership changes) |
| Type of monarchy | Constitutional monarchy, also described as a democratic constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary monarchy |
| Monarch's role | Ultimate legal responsibility for crucial functions, including appointing and removing the Prime Minister and other ministers, dissolving Parliament, proroguing Parliament, approving important laws, acting as head of the Armed Forces, being head of the Church of England, and granting honours. The monarch acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and ministers in most areas. |
| Limitations on power | Cannot govern without Parliament's consent, cannot suspend laws without Parliament's approval, cannot maintain a standing army in peacetime without Parliament's consent, cannot impose excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment |
| Exceptions to limitations | The monarch can refuse a minority government's request for an early election to strengthen its position under the Lascelles Principles |
| Eligibility requirements | Cannot be Roman Catholic, must be in communion with the Church of England |
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What You'll Learn
The Glorious Revolution of 1688
The complex motives behind the Glorious Revolution included religious and political conflicts. James II's overt Roman Catholicism and his suspension of the legal rights of Dissenters caused discontent among many, particularly non-Catholics. The birth of James' son in June 1688 changed the line of succession, as the king now had a Catholic heir, alarming those who feared the establishment of a Catholic dynasty in England. James' elevation of Catholicism, his close ties with France, and his conflicts with Parliament further alienated him from non-Catholics and those who opposed Catholic succession, known as the Whigs.
In response to these concerns, several prominent Englishmen, including seven of King James' peers, invited William of Orange, a Protestant married to James' daughter Mary, to invade England. William accepted the invitation and landed at Brixham on Tor Bay on November 5, 1688, advancing slowly towards London as support for James dwindled. James ultimately fled to France, and William and Mary were crowned joint rulers in April 1689.
The Glorious Revolution had significant consequences, permanently establishing Parliament as the ruling power in England and later the United Kingdom. The revolution represented a shift from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy, with the power of the monarch curtailed and Parliament gaining supremacy. The Bill of Rights of 1689 further defined, limited, and wrote down the powers of the regent for the first time, marking a significant change in Parliament's function and influence. The revolution also had an impact on the 13 colonies in North America, temporarily freeing the colonists from strict anti-Puritan laws.
The historiography of the Glorious Revolution is complex and disputed. While some have characterised it as a largely peaceful and consensual triumph of English liberty and limited monarchy, others emphasise the divisive and violent nature of the event, involving all classes of English society. Interpretations also differ on the invasion aspect, with some downplaying it as a result of British pride and Dutch propaganda, while others highlight the successful foreign invasion led by William and the significance of the Dutch occupation of London.
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The Bill of Rights 1689
The Bill of Rights curtailed the power of the monarchy and established several key principles and rights. Firstly, it asserted the importance of frequent and freely elected parliaments, with free speech and freedom from interference. It also established the right of petition, where subjects could petition the king, and just treatment by courts. Furthermore, it included the principle of no taxation without Parliament's agreement, and no standing army in peacetime without Parliament's consent.
The Bill of Rights also addressed issues of religion and succession. It granted religious toleration to all Protestants and excluded Roman Catholics from the succession to the throne. The Act of Settlement in 1701 further clarified the rules of succession, providing for the Hanoverian succession.
The Bill of Rights was the culmination of a long struggle between the Stuart kings and Parliament, dating back to at least 1628 with the Petition of Right, which some historians argue marks the founding of the United Kingdom's modern constitutional monarchy. The Petition of Right established specific liberties of the subjects that the king was prohibited from infringing, including restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law.
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The Act of Settlement
> "...is are or shall be reconciled to or shall hold Communion with the See or Church of Rome or shall profess the Popish Religion or shall marry a Papist".
Thus, those who were Roman Catholics, or who married Roman Catholics, were barred from ascending the throne. This had the effect of deposing the remaining descendants of Charles I, except for his Protestant granddaughter Anne, as the next Protestant in line to the throne was Sophia of Hanover. Sophia's son succeeded to the throne as King George I in 1714, starting the Hanoverian dynasty in Britain.
- All future monarchs must join in communion with the Church of England.
- If a future monarch is not a native of England, England is not obliged to engage in any war for the defence of territories (e.g. Hanover) not belonging to the Crown of England.
- Judges were to hold office during good behaviour rather than at the sovereign's pleasure, though they are subject to impeachment by both Houses of Parliament.
- Impeachments by the House of Commons are not subject to pardon under the Great Seal of England (i.e. by the monarch).
- The monarch was forbidden to leave England, Scotland, or Ireland without the consent of Parliament.
- No person born outside of England, Scotland, or Ireland, or their dominions (even if naturalised or made a denizen), shall be capable of becoming a member of the Privy Council or Parliament, or hold any office, civil or military, or obtain grants of land from the Crown.
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The Act of Union 1707
The transition to a fully constitutional monarchy occurred during the long reign of Queen Victoria, the successor of William IV. By this time, the power of the monarchy had declined significantly, and the monarch was no longer able to effectively interfere with parliamentary power. The Reform Act of 1832, passed during William IV's reign, reformed parliamentary representation and led to an expansion of the electoral franchise, further strengthening the position of Parliament.
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The Reform Act 1832
The concept of constitutional monarchy in England can be traced back to the 17th century, specifically the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the passage of the 1628 Petition of Right. The Petition of Right, passed in 1628, is a significant English constitutional document that outlines specific liberties of subjects that the monarch is prohibited from infringing. It includes restrictions on non-parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law. The Glorious Revolution, on the other hand, established the principle that an English monarch cannot govern without Parliament's consent.
Now, let's delve into the details of the Reform Act of 1832:
The Reform Act of 1832, also known as the Representation of the People Act 1832 or the Great Reform Act, was a pivotal moment in the evolution of England's parliamentary democracy. The Act addressed issues related to parliamentary representation and the electoral system, bringing about significant changes.
One of the primary objectives of the Reform Act was to reduce the number of nomination boroughs, which had previously been chosen haphazardly and ranged from small hamlets to large cities. The Act disenfranchised 56 boroughs in England and Wales, and 31 were reduced to being represented by only one Member of Parliament (MP). This addressed the issue of "rotten boroughs," where some early boroughs had declined in population but still retained the right to elect two MPs.
The Reform Act of 1832 also altered the way representatives for the boroughs, previously known as burgesses, were selected. It broadened the franchise's property qualifications, allowing small landowners, tenant farmers, and shopkeepers to vote. However, it should be noted that the majority of working-class men still could not vote due to the remaining property qualifications. Additionally, the Act formally excluded women from voting in parliamentary elections, as voters were defined as male persons.
The passage of the Reform Act of 1832 was a response to years of criticism of the electoral system from both inside and outside Parliament. The Act received royal assent on June 7, 1832, and contributed to the expansion of the electoral franchise and the rise of the House of Commons as the most important branch of Parliament. It represented a significant step towards a more representative and inclusive democracy in England and Wales.
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Frequently asked questions
The UK constitutional monarchy has roots that predate the UK itself as a state. The concept of monarchs consulting with their subjects is long-established, and this principle led to the development of Parliament in the 13th century. The 1628 Petition of Right, a major English constitutional document, set out specific liberties of subjects that the king was prohibited from infringing. Some historians argue that this document marked the founding of the UK's modern constitutional monarchy. The Bill of Rights of 1689 further curtailed the power of the monarchy.
A monarchy is typically a system under which the head of state inherits their office from their parents and holds it until they die or retire, at which point it passes to their heir. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch has a range of important functions, including appointing ministers or other holders of important posts, and representing the country on the international stage. They also have legal powers, such as approving laws and agreeing to treaties.
The powers of the English monarchy have been reduced over time. The 1628 Petition of Right, for example, restricted the king's ability to impose non-Parliamentary taxation, use martial law, and employ forced billeting of soldiers. The Bill of Rights of 1689 further reduced the power of the monarchy, and by the time of William IV, the monarch was no longer able to effectively interfere with parliamentary power. The final transition to a constitutional monarchy was made during the reign of Queen Victoria. Today, the UK is a democratic constitutional monarchy, and the monarch acts mostly on the advice of the Prime Minister and their ministers.
