1. Strong Parliament: England had a strong Parliament that was able to assert its authority over the monarchy. Parliament had the power to pass laws, levy taxes, and even declare war. This made it difficult for the monarchy to become absolute.
2. Magna Carta: The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, established the principle that the king was not above the law. This document further limited the power of the monarchy and ensured that the rights of the people were protected.
3. Wars of the Roses: The Wars of the Roses, which lasted from 1455 to 1485, weakened the power of the monarchy. These wars resulted in the death of many members of the royal family and left the country in a state of chaos. This made it difficult for any one person to establish themselves as an absolute monarch.
4. Henry VII: Henry VII, who became king in 1485, was a shrewd and capable ruler. He was able to consolidate power and restore order to the country. However, he did not attempt to become an absolute monarch. Instead, he worked with Parliament to pass laws and govern the country.
5. Henry VIII: Henry VIII, who became king in 1509, is often seen as a strong and powerful monarch. However, he did not establish an absolute monarchy in England. In fact, he often had to rely on Parliament to get his way.
6. Religious Reformation: The religious Reformation, which began in the 16th century, also helped to limit the power of the monarchy. The Reformation led to the break with the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. This made the monarchy less dependent on the Pope and gave it more control over religious affairs.
As a result of these factors, 16th century England avoided absolutism and developed a more limited monarchy. This system of government has continued to evolve over the centuries and is still in place today.