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The Bill of Rights of 1689

Study note

The Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, is the law that put the promises of the Glorious Revolution into writing. It confirmed the rights of Parliament and set clear limits on the power of the king, rather than handing the monarch absolute power. Fix the year firmly: 1689, soon after the events of 1688.

In practice this meant the monarch could no longer raise taxes or run the justice system without Parliament agreeing first. On top of this, the king had to come back to Parliament every single year to ask for fresh funding for the army and the navy. Because the money for the armed forces had to be renewed annually, Parliament gained a regular hold over the Crown and could not simply be ignored. These rules together moved real power towards Parliament.

Memory tip: 1689 Bill of Rights: no taxes or justice without Parliament; army funding renewed yearly.

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Question 1 of 6

What did the Bill of Rights of 1689 confirm?

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Show all questions and answers for The Bill of Rights of 1689(6 questions with explanations)

The Bill of Rights of 1689: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What did the Bill of Rights of 1689 confirm?

    • The union of England and Scotland
    • The rights of Parliament and the limits of the king's power
    • The abolition of the House of Lords
    • The absolute power of the monarch

    Correct answer: The rights of Parliament and the limits of the king's power

    The 1689 Bill of Rights confirmed Parliament's rights and limited the monarch's power.

  2. 2. Under the Bill of Rights of 1689, what could the monarch no longer do without Parliament's agreement?

    • Attend church
    • Get married
    • Raise taxes or administer justice
    • Travel abroad

    Correct answer: Raise taxes or administer justice

    The king could no longer raise taxes or run the justice system without Parliament's agreement.

  3. 3. In which year was the Bill of Rights passed?

    • 1707
    • 1801
    • 1660
    • 1689

    Correct answer: 1689

    The Bill of Rights was passed in 1689, after the Glorious Revolution.

  4. 4. Under the Bill of Rights, the monarch had to ask Parliament each year to renew funding for the army and navy.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Annual approval of military funding gave Parliament regular control over the Crown.

  5. 5. Which of these statements is correct?

    • The Bill of Rights of 1689 confirmed the rights of Parliament
    • The Bill of Rights of 1689 gave the monarch absolute power

    Correct answer: The Bill of Rights of 1689 confirmed the rights of Parliament

    The Bill of Rights confirmed Parliament's rights and limited the monarch.

  6. 6. The Bill of Rights of 1689 confirmed the rights of Parliament and the limits of whose power?

    • the church's
    • the army's
    • the king's
    • the court's

    Correct answer: the king's

    The Bill of Rights confirmed Parliament's rights and the limits of the king's power.

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