Restoration Legislation and the Glorious Revolution

Restoration  Remember—Charles II returns from exile in 1660  Welcomed back with open arms by the English people Why??  Called the “Merry Monarch”  What are some issues that Charles II will initially face?

Laws of Restoration  Why might have Parliament insisted on enacting so many new laws after the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy? Clarendon Code - Church of England is state religion and only its members can serve in Parliament, attend universities, etc. Magna Carta + Petition of Right - reasserted under Charles II to limit the power of the monarch Habeas corpus - a person cannot be held in prison by the king for no reason or without cause

James II  Charles II dies heirless, and throne passes to his Catholic brother James II  Why is James II’s religion problematic in the eyes of Parliament? How does Parliament eventually respond?

The Glorious Revolution  Parliament, angered by James II’s actions and the possibility that his Catholic son could become king, invite James’ daughter, Mary, and her husband William to overthrow the king  “No battles or blood”= Glorious Revolution  Become William III and Mary II

Laws of Restoration- William and Mary  Bill of Rights - Monarch could not raise taxes or keep an army without Parliament’s approval. No laws could be suspended. Parliament will meet often. Guaranteed individual rights.  Act of Settlement - No Catholic could become monarch.  Why might William & Mary / Parliament have passed laws such as these? Mary dies without an heir and her sister, Anne, comes to the throne after the death of William

Queen Anne  Parliament unites England + Scotland= Great Britain  Needed a cabinet to help her rule — advisors from the majority party in Parliament  Had no heirs — throne would be passed to the children of the granddaughter (Sophia, married to a German) of James I (the Divine Right king)

The Hanovers  German family, married into the English royal line  George I (spoke little English)  George II (continued the development of the office of Prime Minister)  George III (King during the American Revolution)