Stuart Britain Key Dates: James II

1685

James II ascends to the throne

Rebellions by Earl of Argyll (Scotland) and the Duke of Monmouth (south-west England) are easily crushed

Executions of the Duke of Monmouth’s supporters by Chief Justice Jeffreys (“The Bloody Assizes”) cause no opposition

Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes, which gave Huguenots toleration

1686

Direction’s to preachers forbids anti-Catholic sermons

Bishop Compton of London refuses to suspend a London preacher for disobeying it

Godden v Hales allows James to dispense individuals from the Test and Corporation Acts

Court of Ecclesiastical Commission suspends the Bishop of London

A royal licensing office established sells certificates to Dissenters exempting them from the Clarendon Code

1687

Tories Clarendon and Rochester are dismissed

James tries to force Magdalen College Oxford to accept a Catholic president

James’ first Declaration of Indulgence

James’ campaign with Sunderland and Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey’s to ensure the next Parliament will be in favour of removing the Test and Corporation Acts (JPs questioned)

1688

James’ second Declaration of Indulgence

Seven Bishops Case (Sancroft)

James Francis Edward is born

The Immortal Seven write to William inviting him to England

William of Orange lands at Torbay and occupies Exeter

James abandons his army at Salisbury and is caught. He then flees abroad despite Tory support