The Concentration Of Power In An Absolute And Parliamentary Monarchy

The concentration of power in an absolute and parliamentary monarchy develops from the different ruling styles and development pattern of the region. This is most clearly seen in Europe, where both systems of governing are in effect. In England, a parliamentary monarchy is seen due to England’s tyrannical monarchs, producing a series of revolts ending in the weakening of royal power. Fear of certain religious dominance during the Renaissance period also caused the beheading of many monarchs, revealing the extreme power of the parliament. Contrary to this is France’s, Prussia ’s, and the Holy Roman Empire’s absolute monarchy forming due to religious tolerance for Protestants and suppression of the noble’s power. In these regions, the monarchs
The limiting of the English monarch’s powers came in a series of events. The first major reduction in royal power first occurred when the Magna Carta was enacted under the reign of King John of England. The Magna Carta, essentially the first written constitution in European history, took the biggest stride toward greater freedom and rights for citizens. With the passing of the Magna Carta, monarchs lost right to taxation, and this, in turn, gave legislative rights to the parliament. Though the Magna Carta was exclusively for the nobility, the passing of it would come to limit John’s and all future England monarchs power within a set code of laws. The Magna Carta is seen in effect during the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. While Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England held power, major decisions had to be consulted with the parliament. This is seen with the passing of the Act of Supremacy, acknowledging monarchs as the supreme head of the church of England. Though this yielded great power for the monarchs it could only be passed with and by the approval of the parliament. Even with the monarch’s power to veto any laws passed by the parliament, revolts and limitation of the monarch’s power could happen anytime. An example of this was when James I and Charles I tried to rule by divine right. With this belief, Charles I ruled by royal prerogative and began dismissing
This is seen in the instance of Louis XIV of France, who had absolute power over France, claiming several times “I am the state”. To achieve this Louis XIV uses various methods to seize power from the Estates general. One of the main ways is through religion, specifically the reinstatement of the Edict of Nantes, which gave Protestants rights to practice their religion without persecution. This allowed for less civil wars and in turn stabilized the monarch's rule. Louis XIV also collected a large army and prevented revolts by suppressing the nobles. Louis XIV would often make huge palaces and watched over nobles to limit their power. In this way, gradually, Louis XIV’s power became absolute to the point where he could completely dismiss the