The Glorious Revolution

In 1688, England went through a big change without much fighting at all. King James II was unpopular because many people thought he was trying to make England a Catholic country again. A group of English leaders invited a Dutch prince named William of Orange to come and take the throne. James fled the country, and William and his wife Mary became the new rulers. This peaceful change of power is called the Glorious Revolution.

Why James Had to Go

King James II upset many people in England. He gave important jobs to Catholics and tried to change the laws. Most people in England were Protestant and did not want a Catholic king telling them how to worship. When James had a son, people feared a long line of Catholic kings. English leaders secretly invited William of Orange, who was married to James's daughter Mary, to come and take the crown.

A New Kind of Government

When William arrived with his army, James fled to France. William and Mary agreed to share power with Parliament. They signed a document called the Bill of Rights in 1689. It said the king or queen could not make laws or raise taxes without Parliament's approval. This was a big step toward the kind of government England has today, where elected leaders share power with the monarch.

Fun Facts

• It is called 'Glorious' because it happened with very little bloodshed.
• The English Bill of Rights of 1689 helped inspire the American Bill of Rights.
• William of Orange sailed to England with about 15,000 soldiers and 500 ships.

Did You Know?

The Glorious Revolution established the idea that even kings and queens must follow the law, a principle that is still important in democracies today.