History
The Glorious Revolution Explained
Discover the 1688 event that overthrew a king, established Parliament's power, and transformed England into a constitutional monarchy.
What is it?
The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England. The coup involved the Catholic King James II being replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange. The motives were a complex mix of religious and political concerns, as English leaders feared James's overt Catholicism and his attempts to establish an absolute monarchy. A coalition of politicians invited William to intervene, and he landed in England with an army in November 1688. James II fled to France, leading to a largely bloodless transition of power in England, though significant conflict occurred in Scotland and Ireland.
Why is it trending?
This event is historically significant because it marked a permanent shift in England's power structure from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. For the first time, the monarchy's power was defined, written down, and limited by the authority of Parliament. The revolution led directly to the 1689 Bill of Rights, a landmark document that established principles like the right to regular Parliaments, free elections, and freedom of speech within Parliament. This event confirmed the primacy of Parliament over the Crown, laying the groundwork for modern political democracy.
How does it affect people?
The Glorious Revolution fundamentally changed how England was governed. It permanently established Parliament as the ruling power, ensuring that future monarchs would govern according to its laws rather than by their own decree. The resulting Bill of Rights limited royal authority and forbade a Catholic from ever taking the throne. The revolution's impact extended to the American colonies, where it temporarily freed colonists from strict anti-Puritan laws and inspired several uprisings against English rule. It set the stage for the United Kingdom's present-day political system of a constitutional monarchy.