The Glorious Revolution and its effects

England 1688

Aims of the lesson

By the end of this lesson you will

• Understand the reasons why the Glorious Revolution occurred in 1688

• Describe the events of the revolution

• Evaluate the consequences of the revolution during the 18th century and today

The Background

• In 1660 Charles II became King and ruled for 25 years until he died in 1685

• Charles reign was peaceful but was dominated by the man who was due to follow him – James, the Prince of Wales

• James was a Catholic who promised to make England a Catholic country again and this worried many protestants

James II

• Pig headed and insensitive• Tried to covert his

daughter, Anne to Catholicism

• Married but had no children – this was a comfort to the Protestants who could endure James but did want a Catholic on the throne after him

The warming pan baby 1688

• In 1688 James had a son – it was a miracle as it was thought that his wife could have children

• The succession was now firmly Catholic

• Protestants were horrified and spread a rumour that it was not James’ and was smuggled in, in a warming pan

William and Mary

• There was an alternative to James – his daughter, Mary who was married to the ruler of Holland, William of Orange

• A group of powerful Protestants wrote to William to invite him over to England and to force James off the throne.

November 1688

• William landed in Torbay on the south coast of England

• He marched to London and gained support on his way there off Protestants

• James furious but could do nothing and eventually fled to France

• No fighting in England – a bloodless revolution

The settlement

• William agreed to become King only as long as he and Mary were recognised as joint monarchs

• Parliament agreed to this and to accept Mary's’ sister Anne as the heir

• William accepted the Bill of rights of 1689 and the Triennial Act of 1694

The Bill of Rights 1689

• The basis of today's British constitution

• Parliament will decide the level of taxes

• Parliament will make all laws

• No army unless Parliament agrees

• No one will be sent to prison without a proper trial

• The King and Queen of England must be Protestant

The Triennial Act 1694

• There must be elections for a new Parliament every three years

• This has since been changed to every five years