Question

State the clauses of the Bill of Rights and explain how it was an important document in the constitutional monarchy? it is a seven mark question so it should be lengthy

Answer 1

Explanation:

The Bill of Rights 1689, also known as the Bill of Rights 1688,[nb 2] is a landmark Act in the constitutional law of England that sets out certain basic civil rights and clarifies who would be next to inherit the Crown. It received the Royal Assent on 16 December 1689 and is a restatement in statutory form of the Declaration of Right presented by the Convention Parliament to William III and Mary II in February 1689, inviting them to become joint sovereigns of England. The Bill of Rights lays down limits on the powers of the monarch and sets out the rights of Parliament, including the requirement for regular parliaments, free elections, and freedom of speech in Parliament.[4] It sets out certain rights of individuals including the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment and reestablished the right of Protestants to have arms for their defence within the rule of law. It also includes no right of taxation without Parliament’s agreement. Furthermore, the Bill of Rights described and condemned several misdeeds of James II of England

Answer 2

Some of the key liberties and concepts laid out in the articles include:

Freedom to elect members of Parliament, without the king or queen’s interference

Freedom of speech in Parliament

Freedom from royal interference with the law

Freedom to petition the king

Freedom to bear arms for self-defense

Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail

Freedom from taxation by royal prerogative, without the agreement of Parliament

Freedom of fines and forfeitures without a trial

Freedom from armies being raised during peacetimes

Other important provisions were that Roman Catholics couldn’t be king or queen, Parliament should be summoned frequently and the succession of the throne would be passed to Mary’s sister, Princess Anne of Denmark, and her heirs (than to any heirs of William by a later marriage).