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The development of parliamentary authority

How Parliament acquired greater powers and authority over the course of the violent conflicts of the 17th century

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

Assassination, intrigue, persecution, spying, mass murder and finally a plot to blow up Parliament. Before Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed, a chain of events and influences all over Europe led to the Gunpowder Plot in 1605

Revolution

In 1688, 30 years after Charles's II was restored to the throne the country was invaded by a foreign army and its King fled, as the Crown was offered by Parliament to his own nephew and son-in-law

The Civil War

How did the Parliament which had existed at the will of the King come to overthrow and execute him and then conduct a 10-year experiment in rule by the Commons alone, without King or House of Lords?

Related Information

What Parliament does, its role in UK politics, and relationship with Government, the Crown and Europe

Parliament's role