Part 7: James II - The Fall of the Divine Right and the Dawn of Constitutionalism – 1685 - 1689 Flashcards
(21 cards)
Why was James welcomed as Monarch?
Charles had destroyed the Whig Cause, he solidified the tory political nation.
The exile and then death of Shaftesbury and Rye House plot in 1683 further meant that the Tory respect for hereditary succession was the prime driving force of government.
- There was also no alternative after Monmouth was exiled.
James also promised to preserve the church of england and state of government!
What was James’ misunderstanding that led to his downfall?
He mistook inital acceptance for unconditional loyalty to his religious and political vision. He believed tory support was personal when in reality it was entirely conditional of how he ruled. Therefore, his actions quickly eroded his support.
What were the two rebellions after James was crowned?
Argyll’s rebellion in Scotland - 1685 - quickly shut down, captured in Glasgow and exectued.
Monmouths rebellion in Dorset - 1685 - decleration of rebellion - claimed he was the “protestant champion”, no support, quickly shut down, begged for mercy, executed.
Outcome of the Monmouth 1685 rebellion?
Bloody Azzizes - judge jefferies 1685
Around 320 executed — mostly hanged, drawn and quartered in public.
Around 800–850 transported to the Caribbean as indentured labourers (effectively slavery).
Significance of the Bloozy Azzizes?
James II’s regime gained a reputation for merciless vengeance, even against poor, untrained rebels.
- Though the rebellion was crushed, the severity of punishments alienated many moderate Protestants.
- The Whigs and later supporters of the Glorious Revolution (1688) used the Bloody Assizes as evidence of James’s tyranny and Catholic cruelty.
Examples of James’ being niced by his first parliament?
Granted him £2 million a year and let him raise an army of 20,000.
Why did tension arise in his first parliament
Conflict began when James used his dispensing power to appoint over 90 Catholic officers—against the Test Acts.
Parliament feared he was building a Catholic-loyal army, leading to a clash by November and its dissolution.
What was Godden Vs Hales?
Godden v. Hales (1686) was a legal case engineered by James II to test whether he could use his royal prerogative to override the Test Acts.
It was set up and completley rigged.
The court ruled in his favour, confirming the king’s ‘dispensing power.’ This allowed James to legally appoint Catholics to positions of authority, but the verdict deeply alarmed the political nation and helped build opposition to his rule.
Hales was accused by Godden of illegally holding office as he was Catholic, however, they were BOTH catholic…
Summarise what James was doing by 1687
James II was Catholic, and by 1687, he was aggressively using his royal prerogative to promote Catholics into positions of power.
The Test Acts banned Catholics from holding office — but James claimed he could dispense with the law (as confirmed in Godden v. Hales).
What did James do in regards to which college at Oxford?
Magdalen College, Oxford. In 1687 the presidency for the college became vacant and James forced them to elect a Catholic, they refused claiming it was their voting right to do so.
Furious, James declared their election void, fired them all, and forced a Catholic president upon them — Samuel Parker, Bishop of Oxford.
Why were James’ actions in regards to Oxford so bad?
It was a clear abuse of royal power — the king overruled a legally governed institution.
- 😡 Even many loyal Anglicans and Tories saw it as proof that James wanted to impose Catholicism by force.
- 💣 Backfired Politically Alienated moderates who had previously supported James — even some bishops began to turn against him.
Part of Wider Pattern Came after other provocations like the Declaration of Indulgence, Godden v. Hales, and Catholic appointments to the army and judiciary.
What else did James do in 1687 that solidified his demise?
James II’s First Declaration of Indulgence (1687)
- The Declaration of Indulgence was a royal proclamation in which James suspended the enforcement of laws penalising Catholics and Protestant Dissenters — using his dispensing power.
He didnt care about Dissenters but it would be to obvious if he just freed Catholics.
He didn’t ask Parliament. He just issued it by royal decree, bypassing the law.
What did James then do a year later after his first decleration of indulgence?
In 1688, James reissued the declaration and ordered it to be read in every church — sparking the crisis of the Seven Bishops, a direct road to the Glorious Revolution.
What did James do in the kingdom?
In 1687, he granted private worship for Catholics and Quakers—but excluded Presbyterians.This alienated the Scottish elite and created divisions where there had once been loyalty.
- ————.————-
- By 1687, Catholics dominated Irish political and military life, making the situation more tense and fragile.
Difference between James two declerations of indulgence?
The first was outrageous, yet it was more passive and the start of his upheaval. It was the second where he had lost his political capital and tensions were brewing. Also, he made Anglican priests read it in church - this was less passive and caused massive tension.
1687 - 1688
What happened in response to the Second Decleration of Indulgence?
7 Bishops - including the Archbishop of Canterbury (Sancroft) refused it and were taken to court by James.
The Seven Bishops were prominent defenders of Anglicanism. Their refusal to read the Declaration was seen as a principled stand against royal absolutism and Catholic influence. Their aqquital (found not guily) affirmed the Church’s independence from royal coercion.
Outcome of the 7 Bishops Trial in 1688?
The public viewed it as a moral and legal vindication of the national church.
- It signalled that the king was not above the law, and constitutional principles were alive.
- Public patience had snapped — the bishops became symbols of resistance.
When the jury returned a “Not Guilty” verdict in 1688, there was cheering in the courtroom and celebrations across the city — even bonfires and ringing of church bells.
What was the nail in the coffin for James?
The birth of a Catholic heir intensified Protestant fears of a Catholic dynasty, undermining hopes that James’s Protestant daughter, Mary, would succeed him. This was basically the tipping point of James’ reign.
What was the invitation?
Seven prominent English nobles, known as the “Immortal Seven,” invited William of Orange to intervene and protect English liberties and Protestantism. They guarenteed most of the population would support him as they were disasstisfied with James.
- The immortal 7 where 5 whigs and 2 tories (use for tories fed up argument)
They guarenteed their support which William needed - he did not want to seem forceful and despite him wanting to invade prior to the invitation, waited for the invitation.
William came over with a navy bigger than the Spanish Armada.
What was James’ response to William’s landing?
He tried to negotiate with Sancroft and other bishops. However, it was too late and his army disintergrated as officers fled.
He failed to act descively.
He threw the great seal into the Thames and fled for france.
Parliament used this as a sign of his abdication.
Was William’s public intention to take the throne?
No - this would’ve been politicall dangerous and while most knew he probably would end up as king.
His decleration of reasoning for appearing in arms in the Kingdom Of England was that he was intervening in English politics and remodel parliament and the Privy council to ensure England supported the Dutch Republic against Louis XIV.
