Which document is noted for establishing rules governing succession to the throne?

The Act of Settlement 1701 is crucial in outlining the rules governing succession to the British throne. This legal document was designed to ensure that only individuals who were Protestant could inherit the throne, thereby excluding Catholics from the line of succession. This was a significant step in shaping the monarchy and maintaining the religious character of the Church of England at the time.

The Act established that should Queen Anne die without heirs, the crown would pass to the house of Hanover, specifically to Sophia, Electress of Hanover, and her non-Catholic descendants. This act was pivotal in establishing a more structured and stable line of succession, which had previously been fraught with conflicts and disputes.

In contrast, while the Magna Carta of 1215 is a foundational document in the establishment of legal rights and limiting the power of the monarchy, it does not specifically address succession. The Bill of Rights of 1689 deals primarily with the rights of Parliament and further limits the powers of the crown but does not create rules for succession. Treatises, on the other hand, could encompass a broad range of legal and philosophical writings but do not represent a formal law regarding succession. Thus, the Act of Settlement serves as the definitive framework for succession in England.