Which historical document limited the power of the English monarch after 1689?

The English Bill of Rights, enacted in 1689, significantly limited the powers of the English monarchy and established certain civil rights. This document was a direct response to the abuses of power by King James II and aimed to ensure that the monarchy could no longer rule without the consent of Parliament, thereby affirming the principle of parliamentary sovereignty. The English Bill of Rights outlined specific rights, such as the right to free elections, the right to petition the monarch, and protections against excessive bail and cruel punishment.

This historical document marked a pivotal moment in the development of constitutional monarchy in England, emphasizing the importance of laws governing the monarchy rather than allowing the monarch to act unilaterally. It also set a precedent that influenced future democratic movements and constitutional frameworks in other nations.

While the Magna Carta laid the foundational ideas of limited government in 1215, it was the English Bill of Rights that explicitly articulated the limits on royal authority in the late 17th century. Other documents, such as the Petition of Right and the Acts of Union, also addressed various governmental issues, but none had the same direct impact on restricting the monarch's power as the English Bill of Rights did.