The Petition of Right was a document passed by the English Parliament in 1628 during the reign of King Charles I. It confirmed the supremacy of law over the monarch and limited the King's power to act arbitrarily without legal justification.
The Petition of Right was passed by Parliament as a response to King Charles I's attempts to levy taxes without the consent of Parliament, imprison people without trial, and quarter troops in private homes. The document was a formal request to the King to confirm certain fundamental liberties and rights of English citizens, which were believed to have been violated by the King's actions.
The Petition of Right specifically confirmed the supremacy of law over the monarch. It stated that the King could not act arbitrarily or without legal justification, and that any actions taken by the King must be in accordance with the law of the land. The document also established that English citizens had the right to be free from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, and that they could not be forced to provide financial support to the King without their consent.
Overall, the Petition of Right was a significant document in English constitutional history because it reaffirmed the principle of the rule of law and placed limitations on the power of the monarch. By confirming the supremacy of law over the monarch, the document helped to establish the foundation for modern constitutional government, which is based on the principle of the rule of law and the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.