Isabella Carter
William and Mary's reign marked the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in Britain, significantly altering the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament. Their ascension to the throne was a result of the Glorious Revolution, which saw the deposition of King James II, Mary's father, and the subsequent crowning of William and Mary as joint rulers of the kingdom of England in 1689. This unprecedented joint monarchy was the product of lengthy political machinations, with William, a Dutch prince, marrying Mary, the daughter of the future King James II, in 1677. The Bill of Rights, which they both signed, greatly limited royal power and broadened constitutional law, granting Parliament control of finances and the army, and declaring that no Roman Catholic would ever be sovereign of England.
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What You'll Learn
William and Mary's joint rule was unprecedented
William, a Dutch prince, was the husband of Mary, the daughter of the deposed King James II. William invaded England, militarily defeating his father-in-law, who fled to France. William and Mary were crowned joint rulers, marking a turning point in British history. Their reign, during a time of great political change, helped shape a new era for the British monarchy.
Mary was a reigning queen with equal authority to William. Unlike previous queens who served as consorts, Mary insisted on ruling alongside William. Their partnership, both personal and political, defined their reign. While William focused on military and foreign affairs, Mary managed domestic governance, ensuring stability. Their combined strengths made their joint rule effective and harmonious.
The Bill of Rights, drawn up by Parliament and signed by William and Mary, greatly limited royal power and broadened constitutional law. It granted Parliament control of finances and the army and prescribed the future line of royal succession, declaring that no Roman Catholic would ever be sovereign of England. The document also stated that Englishmen possessed certain inviolable civil and political rights. The Bill of Rights was an important document that hugely limited the sovereign's power over tax, legislation, the military, and the treasury.
The Bill of Rights added further defences of individual rights. The King was forbidden to establish his own courts or to act as a judge himself, and the courts were forbidden to impose excessive bail or fines, or cruel and unusual punishments. The royal court was abolished, and freedom of speech was to be upheld. The sovereign was banned from having anything to do with elections or from maintaining their own army.
The Bill of Rights also established the succession with the heirs of Mary II, Anne and William III in that order. William and Mary's reign marked the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in Britain, significantly altering the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament. During their coronation, they swore to govern according to Parliament's rules, rather than uphold traditional royal laws. This was a clear break from past monarchs, who often claimed divine rights above Parliament's laws.
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The Glorious Revolution ended absolute monarchy
The Glorious Revolution of 1688–89 ended absolute monarchy in Britain and established a constitutional monarchy. It involved the deposition and exile of King James II, who was replaced by his daughter, Mary II, and her husband, William III of Orange.
The revolution was the culmination of centuries of conflict between the English Parliament and the Crown. James II, like the Stuart kings before him, was accused of gross abuses of power. His Roman Catholicism, suspension of the legal rights of Dissenters, and the birth of a Catholic heir to the throne further alienated non-Catholics and led to discontent among the people.
Opposition leaders invited William of Orange, a Protestant married to James's daughter Mary, to invade England. William's successful invasion forced James II to flee to France, and he was deposed by Parliament on the grounds of desertion.
The revolution established the primacy of parliamentary sovereignty and significantly limited the power of the monarch. The English Bill of Rights, drawn up by Parliament and signed by William and Mary in 1689, restricted the monarch's power over taxation, legislation, the military, and the treasury. It also abolished the royal court and upheld freedom of speech, among other measures.
The revolution ended moves towards absolute monarchy and represented a shift towards a constitutional monarchy, with Parliament as the ruling power. William and Mary swore to govern according to the laws of Parliament, not the monarchy, and their reign marked the beginning of a new era of modern government in England.
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The Bill of Rights limited royal power
William and Mary became king and queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and Lords of Ireland on 13 February 1689. Their ascension to the throne was the result of a peaceful and "glorious" revolution, which overthrew King James II, Mary's father, who was accused by Parliament of gross abuses of power. William, a Dutch prince, was married to Mary, the daughter of the future King James II, in 1677.
The Bill of Rights, which received royal assent in December 1689, greatly limited royal power and broadened constitutional law. It imposed a new oath of allegiance, to be taken by office holders, members of Parliament, and clergymen, and introduced restrictions on the royal prerogative. The monarch was forbidden from suspending laws passed by Parliament, levying taxes, or raising a standing army during peacetime without parliamentary consent. It also laid down that all subjects had the right to petition the king, and that parliamentary debates and elections should be free and meet regularly.
The Bill of Rights also granted Parliament control of finances and the army and prescribed the future line of royal succession, declaring that no Roman Catholic would ever be sovereign of England. The document also stated that Englishmen possessed certain inviolable civil and political rights, a political concept that was a major influence in the composition of the U.S. Bill of Rights, composed almost exactly a century later.
The Bill of Rights was drawn up by Parliament and signed by William and Mary. It was conceived to ensure that the power of the monarchy would be limited and that Parliament could function free from royal interference. The bill reaffirmed Parliament's control of taxation and legislation in England, meaning the sovereign was forbidden from levying taxes without parliamentary consent or interfering with laws already passed by Parliament. The royal court was abolished, and the proper court was forbidden from imposing cruel punishments or excessive bail. Freedom of speech was to be upheld, and the sovereign was banned from having anything to do with elections or from maintaining their own army.
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The Act of Settlement restricted the crown further
William and Mary were proclaimed joint sovereigns of Britain on February 13, 1689, following the bloodless Glorious Revolution. William, a Dutch prince, was married to Mary, the daughter of the future King James II, in 1677.
- Providing that the throne would pass to the Electress Sophia of Hanover, a granddaughter of James VI and I, and her descendants, but it excluded "every Person and Persons who ... became a Roman Catholic, or who married one".
- Stating that the King was forbidden to establish his own courts or to act as a judge himself, and the courts were forbidden to impose excessive bail or fines, or cruel and unusual punishments.
- Requiring parliamentary consent to be given for the Sovereign to engage in war or leave the country.
- Establishing judicial independence by stating that judges were to hold office based on good conduct and not at royal pleasure.
- Reinforcing the Bill of Rights, strengthening the principle that government was undertaken by the Sovereign and his or her constitutional advisers (i.e. Ministers), not by the Sovereign and any personal advisers.
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William and Mary's rule was a turning point for the British monarchy
William and Mary became king and queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and Lords of Ireland on 13 February 1689. They were the only joint sovereigns in British history. Their coronation followed the so-called "Glorious Revolution", which saw the deposition of King James II, Mary's father, and the military defeat of the English Parliamentarians led by William III of Orange, who was Mary's husband.
The Glorious Revolution was a decisive victory for Parliament in its long struggle against the crown. The revolution, which took place during 1688–89, stemmed from religious and political conflicts. James was a Catholic king, and his actions, such as suspending the legal rights of Dissenters and the birth of a Catholic heir to the throne, raised discontent among many, particularly non-Catholics. This led to several prominent Englishmen inviting Mary's husband, William of Orange, to invade England. William's successful invasion forced James II to flee to France, and Parliament deposed him on the grounds of desertion.
The Bill of Rights, which was drawn up by Parliament and signed by William and Mary in 1689, greatly limited royal power and broadened constitutional law. It granted Parliament control of finances and the army and prescribed the future line of royal succession, declaring that no Roman Catholic would ever be sovereign of England. The bill also stated that Englishmen possessed certain inviolable civil and political rights.
During their coronation, William and Mary swore to govern according to Parliament's rules, rather than uphold traditional royal laws. This was a clear break from past monarchs, who often claimed divine rights above Parliament's laws. Their reign set a precedent for a more balanced and constitutional monarchy that would influence future British governance.
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Frequently asked questions
William and Mary became rulers following the bloodless Glorious Revolution, which saw the deposition of Mary's father, King James II. William, a Dutch prince, was married to Mary, the daughter of James II, and together they invaded England, forcing James II to flee to France.
Mary insisted on a co-regency. William originally planned for Mary to be the sole ruler, but her leadership skills and popularity among the people proved her to be a capable ruler.
Their reign marked the beginning of a constitutional monarchy in Britain, significantly altering the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament.
William and Mary's reign set a precedent for a more balanced and constitutional monarchy that continues to influence the British political system today.
William and Mary ruled jointly for five years until Mary’s death in 1694. William ruled alone for a further seven years until his death in 1702.
