Significance of the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is one of the most important of the English statutes. It holds the same rank as the Great Charter of John, the confirmation of the Charters by Edward I and the Petition of Rights under Charles I. It is however regarded as more important because it changed the succession to the throne. Simultaneously, a number of sovereigns were brought in, possessing only a parliamentary title. Thus the crown, which was so powerful in the 17thcentury, lost its relative significance in the 18th century.

Thereafter, the leading members of Parliament, and not the king, began to conduct the government of England. Parliament, which had formerly acted as a check upon the supreme power, now became the supreme power itself.

The Act of Settlement was also passed in 1701. It stated:

1. that whosoever should, hereafter, come to occupy the throne of England, was required to join in communion with the Church of England, as by law established.

2. that all the business of government formerly transacted in the Privy Council should still be transacted there.

3. that no person, who had an office, or place of profit, under the King, or received a pension from the Crown, should be capable of serving as a member of the House of Commons and

4. that judge’s commission should be for life, or for good behavior and that their salaries should be ascertained and established. However they could be removed after a joint address of both Houses of Parliament.

Index

9.0 - Introduction
9.1 Origin of Democracy in England
9.2 Magna Carta-The Great Charter (1215)
9.3 Establishment and Development of Parliament
9.4 The Glorious Revolution of 1688
9.5 Rise of a Responsible Council Of Ministers
9.6 Reform Act Of 1832
9.7 Representation of the People Act, 1867
9.8 Representation of the People Act, 1884
9.9 Parliamentary Act, 1911
9.10 Representation of the People Acts 1918 & 1928
9.11 Dates & Events
9.12 Points to Remember

Chapter 10