Changes

After Cromwell’s death, the older son of Charles I took the throne as Charles II and instituted the Restoration (of the monarchy) in 1659.  He ruled until his death in 1685, during which he established the rights of prisoners not to be held unless there was a good reason.  This was the Habeas Corpus Act, passed in 1679, which became a basic right under the U.S. Constitution, Article One, Section Nine (“The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”).  Also during the reign of Charles II the first political parties developed, known as the Whigs (liberals) and Tories (conservatives).  Today those same political parties exist in England, although the Whigs have been replaced, though not directly, by the Labour Party and the less-popular Liberal Democratic Party (note the English spelling of “labor”, which represents common or union workers).

After Cromwell’s death, the older son of Charles I took the throne as Charles II and instituted the Restoration (of the monarchy) in 1659.  He ruled until his death in 1685, during which he established the rights of prisoners not to be held unless there was a good reason.  This was the Habeas Corpus Act, passed in 1679, which became a basic right under the U.S. Constitution, Article One, Section Nine (“The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.”).  Also during the reign of Charles II the first political parties developed, known as the Whigs (liberals) and Tories (conservatives).  Today those same political parties exist in England, although the Whigs have been replaced, though not directly, by the Labour Party and the less-popular Liberal Democratic Party (note the English spelling of “labor”, which represents common or union workers).

James II, a Catholic, was the second son of Charles I and succeeded Charles II to the throne.  The Catholic-Anglican conflict had been ongoing for over a hundred years, and many Protestants were unhappy about having a Catholic rule the country.  Even now in England there is a law prohibiting a Catholic from serving in a top position.  In 1688, the Protestants in Parliament asked Mary, the Protestant daughter of James II, to rule England (and Scotland) along with her Protestant husband William of Orange.  James II was forced to flee to France, where he died in exile in 1701.

James II, a Catholic, was the second son of Charles I and succeeded Charles II to the throne.  The Catholic-Anglican conflict had been ongoing for over a hundred years, and many Protestants were unhappy about having a Catholic rule the country.  Even now in England there is a law prohibiting a Catholic from becoming monarch or marrying the monarch.  In 1688, the Protestants in Parliament asked Mary, the Protestant daughter of James II, to rule England (and Scotland) along with her Protestant husband William of Orange.  James II was forced to flee to France, where he died in exile in 1701.

This transfer in power during 1688-1689 became known as the “Glorious Revolution,” or the bloodless revolt.  But while the ouster of James II itself was bloodless, it was incited in part by the execution of 300 persons (and sale into slavery of another 800) who participated in the 1685 revolt against James II known as (Duke) Monmouth’s Rebellion.   

This transfer in power during 1688-1689 became known as the “Glorious Revolution,” or the bloodless revolt.  But while the ouster of James II itself was bloodless, it was incited in part by the execution of 300 persons (and sale into slavery of another 800) who participated in the 1685 revolt against James II known as (Duke) Monmouth’s Rebellion.