The major legal constraints imposed on the monarchy by the Petition of Rights included a prohibition against which of the following?

The Petition of Right, enacted in 1628, outlined several significant legal constraints on the powers of the monarchy. One of its primary purposes was to limit the authority of the king and protect the rights of subjects. The correct choice reflects that this critical document prohibited the monarchy from collecting taxes without the consent of Parliament, declaring martial law in peacetime, and imprisoning individuals without just cause.

By requiring the king to obtain parliamentary approval for taxation, it reinforced the principle of no taxation without representation, which was a cornerstone of constitutional governance. The prohibition against declaring martial law underscored the limited circumstances under which the military could assert power over civilian life, emphasizing that such power must be exercised in accordance with law, particularly during times of peace. Additionally, the requirement to provide just cause for imprisonment established a foundational legal right to due process, ensuring that individuals could not be held without sufficient reason or evidence of wrongdoing.

Overall, the Petition of Rights collectively addressed these critical issues, embodying the shift towards constitutional monarchy and laying important groundwork for future legal frameworks that would safeguard civil liberties.