In November 1688, William launched an invasion of England with a well-equipped army. Upon landing in the southwest of England, he gained immediate support from both the people and key military leaders who had grown disillusioned with James. Faced with this growing opposition, James fled London, and eventually, he fled to France, seeking refuge in the court of Louis XIV.
James’s flight marked the end of his reign. William and Mary were declared joint monarchs of England in 1689, with the consent of Parliament. The Glorious Revolution was a bloodless event, earning its name due to the minimal violence involved in the overthrow. It not only ended James II's reign but also affirmed the principles of parliamentary supremacy and Protestantism as the foundation of English monarchy.
The revolution led to the Bill of Rights in 1689, which limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined the rights of Parliament and the individual. The Bill established that the monarch could not levy taxes or maintain a standing army without parliamentary consent, among other provisions. This established a precedent for constitutional monarchy, limiting royal powers and affirming the sovereignty of the people.
In summary, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a turning point in British history, ending the absolute rule of the monarch and setting the stage for the development of modern democratic principles. James II’s ousting confirmed the power of Parliament and Protestantism, and it remains a landmark moment in the evolution of constitutional governance. shutdown123