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Year 8 - History

The Bill of Rights and constitutional monarchy

The Glorious Revolution: how do historians' views of it differ?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the Glorious Revolution and the way in which different historians have viewed it. They learn about the causes of this important event before examining Whig and revisionist arguments about its nature.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe how the Bill of Rights limited the power of the monarchy and increased the power of Parliament.

Key Notes

  • William III of Orange was concerned that England may form an alliance with Catholic France against the Protestant Dutch.
  • In November 1688 William of Orange, Protestant son-in-law to James II, landed in England and James fled for France.
  • In 1669 a new Parliament met, which issued the Bill of Rights and offered William and Mary the crown.
  • This declaration greatly limited the power of the monarchy by creating a constitutional monarchy.
  • It established frequent Parliaments, free elections, freedom of speech within Parliament and other Parliamentary powers.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • convention: a meeting of Parliament without a summons from the monarch
  • Bill: a draft of a proposed law presented to Parliament for discussion
  • constitutional monarchy: a system in which the monarch must use their power in line with established laws

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Monarchs need to secure their positions by imprisoning or killing any claimants to the throne.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

William III of Orange was concerned that England may form an alliance with Catholic France against the Protestant Dutch. In November 1688 William of Orange, Protestant son-in-law to James II, landed in England and James fled for France.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'convention'

a meeting of Parliament without a summons from the monarch.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Monarchs need to secure their positions by imprisoning or killing any claimants to the throne. Correction: Although many monarchs have acted in this way, there are countless examples of monarchs who tolerated the freedom of strong claimants to the throne in order to not appear despotic. William III of Orange is a good example.

More Lessons In This Unit

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