3. 81-88 personal rule, collapse of royal power

James II

came to power ‘85

reasons why James’ reign collapsed

• religion - openly cath, policies, son, france

• fear of absolutism - france, godden v hales

• his actions - foreign policy

France

• james had ties to louis/france

• the yr james came to power = louis issued the Edict of Fontainebleau

  • removed religious freedoms of prots (⭡ fear of cath)

• louis gave james £125,000 + told him he had french heart

relationship w parl

• relationship began to deteriorate bc j began abusing his powers

• ‘85 attempted to est religious freedom

  • parl refused to cooperate

  • j responded in autocratic manner

• j used personal dispensations to allow caths to become army officers

Godden v Hales

• case occurred ‘86

• Sir Hales taken to court by coachman for x conforming to Test Act

  • held military command w/o taking communion or oath of allegiance

• j used case to obtain judicial declaration that he cld issue rulings whenever he wanted

  • ruled that only he cld decide if Hales = guilty

  • used power to push cath toleration

cath toleration policies

• ‘87 new declaration of indulgence

  • granted caths/prots freedom of worship

  • allowed caths to be appointed as magistrates

• set up an Ecclesiastical Commission to punish hostility to caths

  • forbid bishops from preaching anti cath sermons

• began placing caths in senior positions in army/unis

  • by allowing them to x take Test Act

• 50% royal judges = replaced w caths

• appointed 4 caths to privy council

• limited backlash bc he = old

  • reign wld be over soon - wld be succeeded by prot daughter mary

what 2 things pushed parl to take action against James?

• 7 bishops trial

• birth of son

7 bishops trial

• ‘88

• 7 bishops sent petition stating their refused to read dec of indulgence in their churches

• j prosecuted them for seditious libel

  • court ruled them innocent (against crown) → widespread public celebration

• encouraged popular rebellion against j

• highlighted to parl public wld support them over king

birth of James son

• june ‘88

• j’s wife mary gave birth to son

  • threatened england w permanent long term estalishment of catholicism

• j then announced he wanted pope to = godfather

• → 7 leading politicians invited william of orange (princess mary’s husband) to intervene

  • landed nov ‘88 → j fled to france