dec 16, 1689 - English Bill of Rights
Description:
An act signed by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. It enumerated James II's many transgressions against the people of England, reprimanding him for acting without the consent of Parliament. It confirmed that William and Mary were the new rightful rulers of the Kingdom of England. Most importantly, it contained thirteen articles that outlined freedoms of the kingdom's subjects, including:
-monarchs cannot suspend or execute laws without Parliament's consent
-monarchs cannot ignore or execute the law the way that James did
-the commission that created the Court of Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes is illegal, as is all similar commissions and courts
-freedom from royal taxation without Parliament's consent
-subjects may petition monarchs, and the monarchs may not prosecute them for it
-a standing army may not be kept in the kingdom during peacetime without the consent of Parliament
-Protestants have the right to bear arms for the right to self-defense
-free elections for members of Parliament (MPs)
-freedom of speech in Parliament
-no excessive bail or fines, as well as cruel and unusual punishment
-jurors must be properly chosen
-no promises of "fines and forfeitures" for particular people before conviction
-Parliament shall be held frequently to address citizens' concerns and for "amending, strengthening, and preserving of the laws"
These enumerated what were believed to be the fundamental rights for all (Protestant) Englishmen. Many of these rights, like protection against cruel and unusual punishment, would be made into US laws a century later.
Full Text
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