James II Image from Wikimedia Commons

The Glorious Revolution of 1688

William of Orange (William III)

• Marked the overthrow of King James II of England (VI of Scotland) and the ascension of William of Orange to the throne as King William III and James's daughter, Mary II.

• Resulted in a permanent realignment of power between the monarchy (that wanted absolute royal power) and the Parliament with Parliament having more control over the monarchy.

Read more about the Glorious Revolution here.

For more, see The Glorious Revolution of 1688 a website developed by two professors at the University of Georgia School of Law.

Click here to learn about the Battle of the Boyne, the most decisive battle of the Revolution.

Click to view a timeline of The Glorious Revolution.

Click the link below for a short video on the Glorious Revolution:

For more information on the Glorious Revolution and its aftermath in Ireland, check History of Ireland 1687

Queen Mary II

Click here for a lesson plan on the contrasting views of the Glorious Revolution.

Click here to watch about 20 minute video about Mary II or click here to read about her.

Chronology of the Glorious Revolution

James II became king in 1685 following his father Charles II.

• After Henry VIII created the Anglican Church, future monarchs would not only become the King/Queen of Britain, but the Head of the Church of England. Each monarch had to be a devout Anglican (American's Episcopal Church). 

• James, a devout Roman Catholic, could not become the Head of the Anglican Church if he was devoted to another religion. 

• This alienated him from his people. He issued a Declaration of Indulgence in 1687, which allowed religious freedom. This angered many Anglicans, who felt that this freedom was going to allow the spread of Judaism, Islam, or paganism. They also felt James II was overpowering the orders of Parliament. Seven bishops protested the new religious freedom, but they were prosecuted for sedition.

• In Ireland, Britain had established the Anglican Church. However, majority of the Irish people were Catholics. The Irish and British conflict begins prior to Henry VIII's reign, when Protestants and Catholics clashed heads. Now with British landlords in Ireland, worshipping the Anglican religion, Catholics became even more furious with Britain. Since James was a Catholic, he supported Irish Catholics - to the disgust of most British citizens. James sought Irish Catholics as his allies. 

• Around the same time, James II and his wife, Mary of Modena, had a son. To the people of England, this meant James' policies would be continued through his heir. High powered English politicians and bishops called for William of Orange, James' nephew and son-in-law, to bring his army to London and put a stop to James II.

• As the army got closer to London, supporters of James II (including his daughter and best general) became supporters of William of Orange. As a result, James II fled to France. William of Orange and Mary was then offered the throne.