Glorious Revolution

King James II by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

The Seven Bishops committed to the Tower in 1688 from NPG

James Francis Edward Stuart c. 1703 attributed to Alexis Simon Belle

Relief 1885

Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1688, was a pivotal event in British history that saw the overthrow of King James II of England (James VII of Scotland) by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange). This event marked the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in England, establishing a framework for parliamentary sovereignty and civil liberties that would influence the development of democratic governance.

Background

The Glorious Revolution was rooted in the conflict between the desire for a sovereign monarchy and the demand for constitutional governance by Parliament. The tension was exacerbated by religious divisions. James II's overt Catholicism and his attempts to promote religious tolerance for Catholics conflicted with the predominantly Protestant English society and its legal restrictions on Catholics.

Events of the Revolution

In 1688, fearing the establishment of a Catholic dynasty following the birth of James's son, a group of Protestant nobles invited William of Orange, who was both James II's nephew and son-in-law and a staunch Protestant, to invade England. William's successful invasion, with minimal resistance and widespread support, led to James II's flight to France. This bloodless change of power was dubbed the "Glorious Revolution."

Impact

The revolution had profound effects on the British Isles and beyond. It led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights 1689, which limited the powers of the monarchy, affirmed parliamentary supremacy, and laid down principles protecting the rights of individuals. These events significantly influenced the development of the modern democratic state, promoting the ideals of liberty, the rule of law, and constitutional governance.

The Glorious Revolution also resulted in the Act of Union 1707, which unified the English and Scottish parliaments, creating the Kingdom of Great Britain. It had international ramifications as well, particularly in North America, where it influenced colonial resistance against British rule, culminating in the American Revolution.

Legacy

The Glorious Revolution is celebrated for its establishment of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in Britain. It is seen as a milestone in the development of a political system in which the monarchy was subject to legal constraints and governed in partnership with Parliament. This event laid the groundwork for the liberal democratic traditions that would spread across the world.