English+Bill+of+Rights

The Bill of Rights was constructed in 1689, and was accepted by William III and Mary II as a condition for ascending to the throne to replace King James after the Glorious Revolution. It combined former grievances against the deposed king with a general statement of basic liberties. To prevent a recurrence of the religious divisions that troubled the Catholic James in ruling a largely Protestant England, the Bill of Rights also barred Roman Catholics from the throne. The English Bill of Rights influenced the US Bill of Rights. Some similarities are:
 * the prohibition of excessive bail and "cruel and unusual punishment" (Amendment VIII)
 * the right the bear arms (Amendment II)
 * the right to petition the Government, freedom of speech and debates (Amendment I)
 * freedom from taxation by royal (executive) prerogative, without agreement by Parliament (legislators)
 * freedom from a peace-time standing army (Amendment III)

These rights and others like it were declared "for the vindicating and asserting their ancient rights and liberties".