Constitutional development in England in the 17th century

Constitutional development in England in the 17th century summary This thesis deals with an important period in English constitutional history. It focuses on the position of English kings and their dispute with English parliament over decisive power in the state. It attempts to describe the main changes in position of the English king and considers significance of the 17th century especially for the later development of parliamentary form of English government. The thesis is divided into four main chapters. First chapter describes the system of English law including common law, case law or law of equity and important royal prerogatives of the king for example the right to summon or dissolve parliament, to appoint judges of common law courts and royal councillors and also events of previous century, specially establishing the Church of England when house of Tudor ruled in England. Furthermore it briefly follows the historical development of parliament and its powers. Next chapters are divided according to the traditional periods of the century to years 1600-1640, 1640-1660 and 1660-1700. Individual subchapters concentrate on reign of each Stuart king. Chief attention is given to the dramatic reign of Charles I. in relation to the English civil war and execution of the king. Dispute between English kings and..