England's 'Glorious Revolution' Explained

Summary

The Glorious Revolution of 1689 marked a pivotal shift in English politics, with William of Orange and his wife Mary ascending the throne as co-monarchs. William, a Dutch prince, was invited to invade England due to religious and political discontent under King James II, a Catholic monarch. Upon their coronation, Parliament presented a list of demands, limiting the monarchy’s powers and cementing Parliamentary Sovereignty. This revolution laid the groundwork for modern constitutional law, limiting royal authority and shifting power to Parliament. The echoes of these events are seen in the American Declaration of Independence, highlighting shared ideals of limited government and representation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689 saw William of Orange, a Dutch prince, invited to invade England due to his Protestant faith, contrasting with the Catholic King James II.
• 😀 William and Mary were crowned co-regents, symbolizing a shift from absolute monarchy to a more constitutional form of government with shared power.
• 😀 William’s invasion was supported by a broad coalition of English Protestants, nobility, and gentry who were dissatisfied with King James II's rule, especially his attempts to normalize Catholicism.
• 😀 The coronation ceremony in 1689 included not a celebratory letter, but a list of demands from Parliament, outlining limitations on the monarch’s powers.
• 😀 The Glorious Revolution led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights in 1689, which codified limits on royal power and cemented the legal authority of Parliament over taxation, lawmaking, and military decisions.
• 😀 The key demands in the Bill of Rights were related to maintaining Parliamentary sovereignty and ensuring free elections, with no monarch able to override or suspend laws without consent.
• 😀 Parliamentary Sovereignty, established in 1689, granted Parliament the legal right to legislate on any subject, without interference from the monarch or any other body.
• 😀 This new model of governance shifted power from the monarchy to Parliament, moving away from the earlier idea of an absolute, unchecked monarch.
• 😀 The American system of checks and balances was influenced by the British experience, which avoided the unchecked power of the monarchy but contrasted with the British system by separating power across three coequal branches.
• 😀 While the legal right of Parliament to make laws was clear, some critics argue that Parliament may lack the political ability to act on certain issues without widespread public support, contrasting legal rights with political ability.

Q & A

Why is the coronation of William and Mary in 1689 considered unusual?

The coronation is unusual because William and Mary were crowned as co-monarchs, sharing power in a role that is typically reserved for one person. This split of authority was a significant departure from the usual system of monarchy.

What is the significance of the document held during William and Mary's coronation?

The document is not a congratulatory letter or a religious text, but a list of demands from Parliament, which includes complaints against the previous monarch, James II, and limitations on the new monarch's powers. This reflects the political shifts of the time.

How did William of Orange rise to the English throne despite being Dutch?

William of Orange was invited to invade England due to religious and political dissatisfaction with King James II, who was Catholic. William, a Protestant and married to James II's Protestant daughter, Mary, was seen as a better alternative to ensure Protestant rule in England.

What role did religion play in William of Orange's invasion of England?

Religion played a crucial role in William’s invasion. English Protestants were strongly opposed to King James II, a Catholic, and feared the continuation of a Catholic dynasty. William, as a Protestant, was seen as a defender of Protestantism in England.

What were the main complaints against King James II that led to the Glorious Revolution?

The complaints against James II included his attempts to normalize Catholicism, the use of a standing army without Parliamentary consent, the suspension of laws, and the blocking of free elections. These actions were seen as signs of tyranny.

Why did the English nobles invite William of Orange to invade England?

The nobles invited William of Orange due to widespread dissatisfaction with James II’s rule, particularly his Catholic policies and his disregard for Parliamentary authority. They sought a Protestant monarch and a return to a more balanced government.

What was the outcome of William’s invasion in 1688?

William’s invasion was largely bloodless, as many of James II’s supporters defected to William’s camp. James II fled to France, and William and Mary were crowned as co-monarchs, leading to the establishment of Parliamentary Sovereignty.

What did the Bill of Rights passed in 1689 establish in terms of Parliamentary power?

The Bill of Rights established the supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy, granting Parliament exclusive powers to make laws, levy taxes, and maintain a standing army. It also introduced principles such as free elections and free speech within Parliament.

How does Parliamentary Sovereignty differ from the system in the United States?

Parliamentary Sovereignty means that Parliament has the legal right to make or unmake any law, and no one, including the monarchy or the courts, can challenge Parliament’s legislation. In contrast, the U.S. system is based on a separation of powers with checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What criticism exists regarding Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK?

The criticism is that while Parliament has the legal right to make any law, it does not always have the political ability to enforce certain laws. For example, Parliament could theoretically abolish elections, but this would likely lead to public protests or rebellion.