The Petition of Right - Charles I ruled England in the early 1600’s and ruled as he thought it should be. He taxed the people without the agreement of the parliament. People started to protest and in 1628 the protests grew so large that the king had to give in to the Petition of Rights . It states that the king had to confirm with the parliament before making any large decisions concerning the people. Here is a piece of the Petition of Rights:

“The Petition exhibited to his Majesty by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, concerning divers Rights and Liberties of the Subjects, with the King's Majesty's royal answer there unto in full parliament.”

To see a copy of The Petition of Right, click here.

English Bill of Rights- In 1688, King James II also ignored the rights of the people. They drove him out of the country and William and Mary became the new rulers of England. The accepted the English Bill of Rights. It gives the right to the people. Here is a piece of the English Bill of Rights:

“ By issuing and causing to be executed a commission under the great seal for erecting a court called the court of commissioners for ecclesiastical causes, by levying money for and to the use of the Crown by pretense of prerogative for other time and in other manner than the same was granted by parliament, by raising and keeping a standing army within this kingdom in time of peace without consent of Parliament, and quartering soldiers contrary to law.”

To see a copy of the English Bill of Rights, click here.

Magna Carta- In the early 1200’s King John ruled England . He was a terrible leader because he ruled as he pleased and didn’t listen to the requests of the people. A group of angry nobles made him accept a document called the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta limited the power of the king. Here is a piece of this document:

“ First of all have granted to God, and, for us, and for our heirs forever, have confirmed, by this our present charter, that the English church shall be free and shall have its rights intact and its liberties infringed upon. And thus we will that it be observed.”

To see a copy of the Magna Carta, click here.