Restoration, Glorious Revolution and Union

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Lesson notes

Restoration England: Plague and Fire

The Great Plague struck London in 1665, killing thousands and causing widespread fear and disruption.
In 1666 the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city, including St Paul's Cathedral and over 13,000 houses.
The fire led to rebuilding programmes, with new brick buildings and wider streets to reduce future fire risk.
These disasters occurred during the reign of Charles II, who had been restored to the throne in 1660.
The Restoration of 1660 brought back the monarchy after the English Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell.

James II and the Road to Revolution

James II became king in 1685 with widespread support, despite being a Roman Catholic in a Protestant country.
He had converted to Catholicism while in exile during the English Civil War.
James believed in the divine right of kings, meaning Parliament should obey him rather than share power.
His policies, such as promoting Catholics to important positions, eroded support among the Protestant gentry.
The birth of his son James Francis Edward Stuart on 10 June 1688 raised the prospect of a Catholic dynasty.
This led some of James's opponents to invite William of Orange to intervene.

The Glorious Revolution of 1688

William of Orange landed with an army in Devon on 5 November 1688, claiming to respond to an invitation.
As William advanced on London, James II's army disintegrated and he fled into exile in France on 23 December 1688.
In April 1689, a Convention declared William and Mary joint monarchs of England and Ireland.
A separate but similar settlement was made in Scotland in June 1689.
The Revolution confirmed the primacy of Parliament over the Crown in both England and Scotland.
Some historians consider William's invasion the last successful invasion of England.

William and Mary and the Bill of Rights (1689)

William III and Mary II ruled as joint monarchs until Mary's death in 1694, after which William ruled alone.
The Bill of Rights of 1689 limited the power of the monarch and increased the authority of Parliament.
It established that the monarch could not suspend laws or levy taxes without Parliament's consent.
It also guaranteed free elections and frequent sessions of Parliament.
These changes marked a shift towards a constitutional monarchy.

The Act of Union with Scotland (1707)

The Act of Union in 1707 united the kingdoms of England and Scotland to create Great Britain.
It dissolved the Scottish Parliament and created a single Parliament at Westminster.
Scotland gained representation in the new British Parliament.
The union was partly driven by economic and political factors, including Scotland's failed Darien scheme.
It also aimed to secure the Protestant succession and prevent a Jacobite restoration.

The Jacobite Risings to 1745

Jacobitism was the political movement that aimed to restore the exiled James II and his descendants to the throne.
Supporters were mainly Catholics and Episcopalians in Scotland and parts of Ireland and England.
The first major rising occurred in 1689, led by John Graham of Claverhouse (Bonnie Dundee).
The 1715 rising, known as 'The Fifteen', attempted to put James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender) on the throne.
The 1745 rising, led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), reached as far south as Derby before retreating.
The Jacobite cause was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Consequences and Significance

The Glorious Revolution established the principle that the monarch rules with the consent of Parliament.
It led to greater religious toleration for Protestants but not for Catholics.
The union with Scotland created a larger, more powerful state and helped secure the Protestant succession.
The Jacobite risings showed continued resistance to the new political order.
Britain became a major European power, often opposing France in wars such as the Nine Years' War.

Slides

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Practice questions

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1.In which year did the Great Fire of London occur?
Easy
- A1665
- B1666
- C1688
- D1707
2.Which event happened in 1665?
Easy
- AThe Great Fire of London
- BThe Great Plague
- CThe Glorious Revolution
- DThe Act of Union
3.Who became king in February 1685?
Easy
- ACharles II
- BJames II
- CWilliam III
- DJames Francis Edward Stuart
4.In which month and year did William of Orange land with an army in Devon?
Easy
- ANovember 1688
- BDecember 1688
- CApril 1689
- DJune 1689
5.When did James II go into exile in France?
Easy
- A5 November 1688
- B23 December 1688
- CApril 1689
- DJune 1689
6.Which two monarchs were made joint monarchs by the Convention in April 1689?
Easy
- AWilliam and Mary
- BCharles II and James II
- CMary and Anne
- DWilliam and James
7.What did the Bill of Rights of 1689 confirm?
Medium
- AThe primacy of Parliament over the Crown
- BThe divine right of kings
- CThe restoration of James II
- DThe union of England and Scotland
8.Which Act created the Kingdom of Great Britain by uniting England and Scotland?
Medium
- AThe Bill of Rights 1689
- BThe Act of Union 1707
- CThe Succession Act 1681
- DThe Exclusion Bill 1679

Revision notes

## Restoration, Glorious Revolution and Union ### Restoration England - **1665 Great Plague** and **1666 Great Fire of London** struck Restoration England. - After the 1660 Stuart Restoration, **Charles II** relied on the **Royal Prerogative** — measures passed this way could be withdrawn when he decided, rather than by Parliament. It could not be used for major legislation or taxation. - **1679–1681 Exclusion Crisis**: Whigs wanted to 'exclude' James from the throne; Tories opposed them. In 1685 many Whigs feared bypassing the 'natural heir', while Tories were often strongly anti-Catholic and assumed the continued primacy of the Church of England. ### James II and the Glorious Revolution - James became king in **February 1685** with widespread backing despite being Roman Catholic. In June 1685 he crushed Protestant uprisings in Scotland and England. - His support depended on the **landed gentry**, mostly Protestant; when his policies appeared to undermine the Protestant Church of England and Church of Scotland, all three kingdoms were destabilised. - The birth of his son **James Francis Edward Stuart** on **10 June 1688** raised the prospect of a Catholic dynasty. Opponents issued the **Invitation to William**. - **William of Orange** landed with an army in **Devon on 5 November 1688**. James's army disintegrated; he went into exile in France on **23 December 1688**. This was the **deposition of James II** — the **Glorious Revolution**. - In **April 1689** a Convention made **William and Mary joint monarchs** of England and Ireland; a separate Scottish settlement followed in **June 1689**. They ruled until Mary's death in **1694**, when William became ruler in his own right. ### Bill of Rights (1689) - The Revolution confirmed the **primacy of Parliament over the Crown** in both England and Scotland. - The **Bill of Rights (1689)** is the key constitutional settlement of this period. ### Act of Union 1707 - The **Act of Union with Scotland in 1707** created **Great Britain**. ### Jacobite Risings to 1745 - **Jacobitism** was the political movement aiming to restore the exiled James or his descendants of the **House of Stuart** to the throne. It persisted into the late 18th century. - Jacobite risings continued to **1745**. ### Key facts to remember - William's invasion is considered by some historians the **last successful invasion of England**. - Until his death in **1702**, William combined the roles of Dutch **stadtholder** and English and Scottish monarch; both states became allies against French expansion. - **Stuart political ideology**: derived from **James VI and I**, based on **divine right** — Parliament's function was to obey. - In Ireland, Catholic land ownership fell from **90% in 1600** to **22% in 1685** after confiscations.

Glorious Revolution: The deposition of King James II in November 1688, replacing him with his daughter Mary II and her Dutch husband William III of Orange as joint monarchs.
Bill of Rights (1689): The settlement that confirmed the primacy of Parliament over the Crown in England and Scotland.
Act of Union 1707: The Act of Union with Scotland in 1707 which created Great Britain.
Jacobitism: The political movement that aimed to restore the exiled James or his descendants of the House of Stuart to the throne; it persisted into the late 18th century.
Invitation to William: The appeal issued by some of James II's domestic opponents seeking Dutch support to remove him, after the birth of his son James Francis Edward Stuart on 10 June 1688.
Royal Prerogative: Powers Charles II relied on after 1660; measures passed this way could be withdrawn when he decided, rather than by Parliament, but it could not be used for major legislation or taxation.
Exclusion Crisis: The 1679–1681 crisis dividing the English political class into those who wanted to 'exclude' James from the throne, mostly Whigs, and their opponents, mostly Tories.
Divine right: The Stuart political ideology derived from James VI and I, based on the principle that Parliament's function was to obey.
Stadtholder: The Dutch role William of Orange combined with being English and Scottish monarch until his death in 1702.
Great Plague: The plague of 1665 in Restoration England.
Great Fire of London: The fire of 1666 in Restoration England.

Flashcards

What was the Glorious Revolution?

The deposition of King James II in November 1688, after which he was replaced by his daughter Mary II and her Dutch husband William III of Orange as joint monarchs.

Who were the joint monarchs after the Glorious Revolution?

Mary II and her Dutch husband William III of Orange ruled as joint monarchs of England, Scotland, and Ireland until Mary's death in 1694.

What was Jacobitism?

The political movement that aimed to restore the exiled James II or his descendants of the House of Stuart to the throne. It persisted into the late 18th century.

When did James II become king?

James II became king in February 1685 with widespread backing from the Protestant majorities in England and Scotland, as well as largely Catholic Ireland.

Why did some of James II's opponents issue the Invitation to William?

The prospect of a Catholic dynasty following the birth of James's son James Francis Edward Stuart on 10 June 1688 led some domestic opponents to seek Dutch support to remove him.

When and where did William of Orange land in England?

William landed with an army in Devon on 5 November 1688.

When did James II go into exile?

James II went into exile in France on 23 December 1688.

What happened in April 1689 regarding the monarchy?

A Convention made William and Mary joint monarchs of England and Ireland.

What was the Scottish settlement after the Glorious Revolution?

A separate but similar Scottish settlement was made in June 1689.

What did the Glorious Revolution confirm domestically?

It confirmed the primacy of Parliament over the Crown in both England and Scotland.

What was the Royal Prerogative?

Powers that Charles II came to rely on, since measures passed in this way could be withdrawn when he decided, rather than Parliament. It could not be used for major legislation or taxation.

What was the Exclusion Crisis?

The 1679 to 1681 crisis, caused by concern that Charles II intended to create an absolute monarchy, which divided the English political class into those who wanted to 'exclude' James from the throne, mostly Whigs, and their opponents, mostly Tories.

Why did many support James II in 1685 despite his Catholicism?

His supporters accepted his personal religious beliefs so long as he maintained the primacy of the Protestant Church of England and Church of Scotland. Also, it was seen as a short-term issue because James was 52, his marriage remained childless, and his heirs were his Protestant daughters, Mary and Anne.

What was the 1681 Succession Act?

A Scottish act that confirmed the duty of all to support a 'Stuart heir', 'regardless of religion.'

What was the religious situation in Scotland by 1680?

Over 95 percent of Scots belonged to the national church or kirk, while even other Protestant sects were banned, and Catholics were a tiny minority confined to parts of the aristocracy and the remote Highlands.

What happened to Irish land ownership by 1685?

In 1600, 90% of Irish land had been owned by Catholics, but following a series of confiscations during the 17th century this had dropped to 22% in 1685.

What was the Great Plague of 1665?

A major outbreak of plague in England in 1665.

What was the Great Fire of London?

A major fire that destroyed much of London in 1666.

What was the Bill of Rights (1689)?

A law passed in 1689 that limited the powers of the monarch and set out the rights of Parliament.

What was the Act of Union with Scotland in 1707?

An act that united the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland to create the Kingdom of Great Britain.

What were the Jacobite risings?

A series of uprisings aimed at restoring the exiled James II or his descendants of the House of Stuart to the throne, continuing until 1745.

Who was James Francis Edward Stuart?

The son of James II, born on 10 June 1688. His birth raised the prospect of a Catholic dynasty and prompted the Invitation to William.

What was the Nine Years' War?

A war in which the Dutch States General and William of Orange were concerned that James II might support France.

What was the Stuart political ideology of divine right?

The principle, derived from James VI and I, that the monarch's authority came from God and Parliament's function was to obey.

What was the War of the Three Kingdoms?

A conflict that arose from disputes over the relationship between king and Parliament, continuing after the 1660 Stuart Restoration.

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