Extract from a letter of invitation to William of Orange to become King, 30 June 1688. Catalogue ref: SP 8/1 f.224v.
The source reflects attitudes to British rights 86 years before the ‘Intolerable’ or ‘Coercive’ Acts became law for those in the American colonies.
The Glorious Revolution officially began with the reign of James II in 1685. William of Orange successfully invaded Britain and James II abdicated from the throne in 1688. The Glorious Revolution (1688–89) permanently established the role of Parliament and marked the move from absolute to constitutional monarchy.
Transcript
… and of the difficulties which appear to us. As to the first, the people are so generally dissatisfied with the present conduct of the Government in relation to their religion, liberties, and properties (all which have been greatly invaded), and they are in such expectation of their prospects being daily worse that your Highness may be assured there are nineteen parts of twenty of the people throughout the Kingdom who are desirous of a change, and who we believe would willingly contribute to it if they had such a protection to countenance their rising as could secure them from being destroyed before they could get to be in a posture able to defend themselves, it is no less certain that much the greatest part of the nobility and gentry are as much dissatisfied although it be not safe to speak to many of them beforehand and there is no doubt…
- According to this letter, what arguments did the British make to justify asking William of Orange to take over from James II?
- Write a paragraph on the significance of the Glorious Revolution for the British monarchy.