The Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights

1688 - 1689 England

The Glorious Revolution and the Bill of Rights

Also known as 'Bloodless Revolution' because there were no battles and bloodshed

The Bill of Rights

Between 1685 and 1688 England was ruled by a Catholic king: James II (Charles II's brother). He wanted to give a position of power to Catholics, but Parliament wasn't allarmed because the king had two Protestant sisters: - Mary Stuart, married to William of Orange; - Anne, married to Prince of Denmark. When James had a son with his second wife Mary of Modena, Parliament was scared by a possible Catholic heir and a consequent alliance with France's Catholic king Louis XIV. At this point, Parliament invited William of Orange and his wife to lead an army to England starting the ''Glorious Revolution''. They arrived in November, and James fled the next month. In April 1689 William and Mary were crowned sovereigns of England and James was declared desmissed.

The new sovereigns Mary and William approved several parlamentary laws: -Triennal Act, the parliament had to meet every three yeras and couldn't dissolve sooner; -Act of Settlement, no Catholic heir could take the power (only anglicans) -Tolerant Act, religious tolerance for protestants; -Bill of Rights.

The limitation of the sovereign's powers

The English Bill of Rights ensured that the monarchy within England didn't hold too much accumulated power, and thus gave more power to the Parliament. We can say that by doing so, this document advance the ideals of democracy.

The major goal of the Bill of Rights is the separation of the powers and the limitation of the royal ones. As we know, this is not the first time that English people fight to limit the absolute power of the sovereign. In this regard, we recall the Magna Carta and the Petition of Rights.

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16th December 1689

- First constitutional law: England was and still is a constitutional monarchy which means that alongside the sovereign there are autonomous institutions (such as Parliament).

The main articles of the Bill of Rights

Power divided between sovereign and Parliament

01

02

03

The sovereign does not have full executive power, laws must be approved by Parliament.

It is not possible to be exempted from the obligations of the law (this power passes to the Parliament).

The sovereign is no longer the head of Anglicanism. An ecclesiastical commission in the monarchical sphere is illegal.

04

05

06

Petitions

Taxes must require Parliament’s approval.

The government can’t keep the army in peacetime.

The subjects can make inquires to the sovereign.

08

10

12

Taxes and deposits should be regulated, not excessive.Non-cruel punishments.

Free parliamentary elections

Fines and confiscation of individuals are prohibited before a judgment.

It is possible to choose and propose policy alternatives.