Extract 1: Enrolment of the Declaration of the 12 February of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons [the ‘Declaration of Rights’], with the king’s answer. Catalogue ref: C 212/18/1
This document is the Declaration of Rights, also known as the Bill of Rights, which was created by the English Parliament in February 1689. It established the rights of the English citizens and the responsibilities of the monarchy.
The Ecclesiastical Commission was an English court of enquiry set up by James II in July 1686. It was given jurisdiction over the governance of the Church of England and allowed to try offences punishable under church law. It was designed to remove any opposition to James II’s religious policy favouring a return to Catholicism.
Transcript
Die Martis xii Februarii 1689 [On Tuesday 12th February 1689]
The Declaration of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled at Westminster
Whereas the late King James the Second, by the assistance of divers [several] evil counsellors, judges and ministers employed by him, did endeavour to subvert and extirpate [destroy] the Protestant religion and the laws and liberties of this Kingdom:
By assuming and exercising a power of dispensing with and suspending of laws and the execution of laws without consent of Parliament.
By committing and prosecuting divers worthy prelates [bishops] for humbly petitioning to be excused from concurring to the said assumed power.
By issuing and causing to be executed a commission under the great seal for erecting a court called the Court of Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes.
By levying money for and to the use of the Crown by pretence of prerogative [right] for other time and in other manner than the same was granted by Parliament.
By raising and keeping a standing army within this kingdom in time of peace without consent of Parliament, and quartering soldiers contrary to law.
By causing several good subjects being Protestants to be disarmed at the same time when papists were both armed and employed contrary to law.
By violating the freedom of election of members to serve in Parliament.
By prosecutions in the Court of King’s Bench for matters and causes cognizable only in Parliament, and by divers other arbitrary and illegal courses.
And whereas of late years partial corrupt and unqualified persons have been returned and served on juries in trials, and particularly divers jurors in trials for high treason which were not freeholders;
And excessive bail hath been required of persons committed in criminal cases to elude the benefit of the laws made for the liberty of the subjects.
And excessive fines have been imposed.
- In your opinion, what are the three most important reasons given for James II’s overthrow?
- The document states: ‘he said late King James the Second having abdicated the government and the throne being thereby vacant’. Is this accurate? Why might the word ‘abdicated’ be used here?
- How is the monarchy’s power limited through this bill?
- In what ways does this bill protect the rights of English citizens?
- What role does religion play in this bill?
- How does the document represent a compromise between king and parliament?
- What challenges does this document present to researchers being a fragile, parchment roll?
- What measures can be put in place to protect this document?