What did James II do to upset Parliament?
The reign of King James II of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1685-1688) was marked by a series of events that ultimately led to his downfall and the Glorious Revolution. One of the key factors that contributed to his conflict with Parliament was a series of actions that challenged the constitutional balance between the monarchy and the legislative body. This article explores the specific measures taken by James II that caused Parliament to become increasingly opposed to his rule.
1. The Declaration of Indulgence
One of the most significant actions that James II took to upset Parliament was the issuance of the Declaration of Indulgence in 1687. This document granted religious freedom to all Protestants and Catholics in England, Scotland, and Ireland, effectively suspending the penal laws that had been in place since the Reformation. While James II was a Catholic, he argued that his actions were based on his belief in religious tolerance and the right of individuals to practice their faith freely.
However, many members of Parliament, particularly those who were Protestant, viewed the Declaration of Indulgence as a direct challenge to their religious beliefs and the established order. They feared that James II’s Catholicism would lead to a return to the religious conflicts of the past and a weakening of the Protestant establishment. This concern led to a growing opposition to the king’s policies and a call for his removal from power.
2. The Exclusion Bill
Another factor that contributed to the tension between James II and Parliament was the introduction of the Exclusion Bill in 1688. This bill sought to exclude James II’s Catholic son, James Francis Edward, from the line of succession to the throne. The Protestant members of Parliament were concerned that James Francis Edward’s ascension to the throne would lead to a Catholic monarch and a reversal of the religious and political gains made during the English Civil Wars and the Glorious Revolution.
James II strongly opposed the Exclusion Bill, which he saw as a personal attack on his family and a violation of his rights as a monarch. This further strained his relationship with Parliament, as members of the legislative body felt that the king was ignoring their concerns and attempting to establish an absolute monarchy.
3. The Rye House Plot and the Monmouth Rebellion
The Rye House Plot and the Monmouth Rebellion were two events that occurred during James II’s reign that further alienated him from Parliament. The Rye House Plot was an assassination attempt on James II and his son, James Francis Edward, by a group of Protestant nobles who were opposed to the king’s policies. Although the plot failed, it highlighted the depth of the animosity between the monarchy and the Protestant establishment.
The Monmouth Rebellion, which took place in 1685, was a failed attempt by the Protestant exile, James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, to seize the throne from James II. While the rebellion was quickly quelled, it demonstrated the extent to which some sections of the population were willing to go to remove James II from power and restore the Protestant monarchy.
4. The Glorious Revolution
The culmination of these events was the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when a group of Protestant nobles invited James II’s daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange, to take the throne. James II fled to France, and Mary and William were crowned joint monarchs. The Glorious Revolution marked the end of the absolute monarchy in England and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, with Parliament gaining more power over the monarchy.
In conclusion, James II’s actions, including the Declaration of Indulgence, the Exclusion Bill, the Rye House Plot, and the Monmouth Rebellion, were all factors that led to his conflict with Parliament. These events ultimately resulted in his downfall and the transformation of the English political landscape, setting the stage for the modern constitutional monarchy that exists today.
