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The start of the relationship between Parliament & the

Crown

Where do we start the story?

1100 - Henry I makes a deal

William Rufus died in 1100. Either of his brothers, Robert or Henry, might have become the next king.

Henry got the barons and church on his side by signing the "Charter of Liberties" or "Coronation Charter". This answered complaints from the barons and church about Rufus's bullying behaviour. With their support, Henry became king.

Henry's deal committed him to observing the traditional English laws. But the promises made were largely ignored for the next 100 years, until the time of King John.

King John in trouble

King John was not a very successful king. He lost large parts of France in battles. This made John unpopular with the English nobles, who called him "Lack

land" and "Soft sword" – but only behind his back.John also argued with the Pope and the new Archbishop of

Canterbury, Stephen LangtonIn 1213, Langton reminded English nobles about the Charter

of Liberties and the freedoms it guaranteed. By this time, John's failures in war had left him short of money: He raised taxes, imposing the first income tax in England and

punishing anyone who objected. The barons rebelled, and with help from the king of Scotland

and Prince Louis of France, they took control of London.

Magna Carta - 15 June 1215

John was forced to sign the Great CharterThe charter mostly protected the rights of the church and nobility rather than ordinary people, but it set a number of important precedents:

No one could be imprisoned or punished without having a chance to defend themselves in public. The fixed home for this justice was soon the Palace at Westminster.

The charter helped to strengthen the Great Council. It made it clear that taxation had to have its consent.

It also made clear that the Council could speak for the whole country and stand against the king if it was necessary.

The charter also standardised weights and measures across England, making tax and trade fairer.

John breaks the deal

Having signed Magna Carta, King John then completely ignored it.

The barons again turned to the French Prince Louis for help and there was war.

It looked like the barons might win, and Louis become king of England.

But John died in 1216. The barons thought they would have more control over John's nine year-old son, Henry, than over French Prince Louis.

Henry III was crowned king, on the condition he agreed to Magna Carta

Elizabeth and Parliament

Elizabeth worked effectively with Parliament to deal with major issues: Raising taxes Elizabethan Religious Settlement Poor Law

There were tensions by the end of Elizabeth’s reign: MPs hated paying heavy taxes to fund wars with

Ireland and Spain New wealthy merchant class of MPs wanted more

power Questions over how much power the Queen’s ministers

should have over Parliament

James I and Parliament

James needed to get more money: His income was less than

Elizabeth’s He was more extravagant Prices were higher

Parliament refused to give James I the regular money that he wanted, so he found other ways of raising money: Selling honours (a title like Baronet

or ‘Sir’) Selling monopolies (trading rights).