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The Glorious Revolution

Within 30 years of Charles II's restoration to the throne in 1660, England was once again on the verge of civil war. In 1688 the country was invaded by a foreign army and its King fled, as the Crown was offered by Parliament to his own nephew and son-in-law.

Yet these events are usually called the Glorious Revolution. What is 'glorious' about them and why are they often considered a turning point in the development of parliamentary democracy and civil liberties?

Expert Interviews

Listen to a podcast about the events that surrounded the 1689 Bill of Rights.

Contemporarycontext

The 1701 Act of Settlement has not been repealed, despite barring Catholics from the throne

Research

A list of many of the most informative books and websites on the important period 1660-1701

Key dates

A chronology of significant events from 1660-1701 relating to the Glorious Revolution

Overview

James II and the Glorious Revolution: Discover how the Glorious Revolution and its aftermath have fundamentally shaped the British state as we know it today