Bill of Rights 1689

Bill of Rights 1689

The Bill of Rights 1689 is a landmark Act in the constitutional law of England that sets out certain basic civil rights and clarifies who would be next to inherit the Crown. It was passed on 16 December 1689 in the wake of the Glorious Revolution, which saw the overthrow of King James II by William of Orange and his wife Mary.

Historical Context

The Bill of Rights was enacted following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which was a pivotal event in the history of the United Kingdom. This revolution resulted in the deposition of King James II, who was seen as a tyrant by many of his subjects due to his attempts to promote Catholicism in a predominantly Protestant nation. The revolution established the constitutional monarchy that exists in the UK today.

Key Provisions

The Bill of Rights 1689 laid down limits on the powers of the monarch and set out the rights of Parliament. Some of its key provisions include:

• Freedom from Royal Interference with the Law: The Bill declared that the pretended power of suspending laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal.

• Freedom from Taxation by Royal Prerogative: The Bill stated that levying money for the use of the Crown without grant of Parliament is illegal.

• Right to Petition: It affirmed the right of subjects to petition the king and that prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal.

• Freedom of Speech in Parliament: The Bill declared that the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.

• No Standing Army: It stated that raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against the law.

• Right to Bear Arms: It allowed for Protestants to have arms for their defense suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law.

Impact and Legacy

The Bill of Rights 1689 is considered one of the fundamental documents of English constitutional law. It has influenced many other constitutional documents, including the United States Bill of Rights. The principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights 1689 have been echoed in various human rights documents around the world.

The Bill of Rights also played a crucial role in the development of the constitutional monarchy in the UK, limiting the powers of the monarch and establishing the supremacy of Parliament.

Related Documents

The Bill of Rights 1689 is often discussed alongside other significant constitutional documents such as the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, and the Act of Settlement 1701.

See Also

• Glorious Revolution
• Constitutional Monarchy
• United States Bill of Rights

References

• "Bill of Rights 1689." The National Archives. [1]
• "The Bill of Rights 1689." Parliament UK. [2]