Primary Source: Excerpts from the English Bill of Rights

Handout D: Excerpts from the English Bill of Rights (1689)

That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal…

That it is the right of the subjects to petition the king, and all commitments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal…

That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against law…

That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defense suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law…

That election of members of Parliament ought to be free…

That freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament…

That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted…

That jurors ought to be duly impaneled and returned…

And that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening and preserving of the laws, Parliaments ought to be held frequently.