April 1688Birth of a son to James IIJames II
Birth of a son to James II, Anne had no heirs so a Catholic succession continues
Historical records for England in 1688, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Birth of a son to James II, Anne had no heirs so a Catholic succession continues
Anne miscarries, 4th time
James II has a son, Anne had no living heirs & a Catholic succession is probable
Requests Anglican clergy read the 2nd Declaration of Indulgence to their congregations
James II fathers a son, James Francis Edward Stuart, until then the throne would have passed to his daughter Mary, a Protestant, the wife of William, the prospect of a Roman Catholic dynasty in the kingdoms is now likely.
James II was troubled by James II's Catholicism and his close ties with France, key leaders of the Tories unite with members of the opposition Whigs and set out to resolve the crisis by inviting William of Orange to England.
The birth of James Francis Edward Stuart creates the prospect of a continuing Catholic dynasty and sharply changes the English succession crisis facing William III of Orange.
William III of Orange becomes increasingly prepared to intervene as English political leaders oppose James II's religious and constitutional policies.
William III of Orange receives the invitation from seven leading English opponents of James II asking him to intervene with military support.
The States General formally supports the expedition of William III of Orange, presenting the intervention as necessary for Dutch security and Protestant interests.
William III of Orange publishes a declaration explaining his intervention as a defence of Protestant religion, English liberties and a free Parliament.
William III of Orange lands with his army at Torbay, beginning the military phase of the Glorious Revolution in England.
Promoted lieutenant-general as James II prepares to resist William of Orange.
William III of Orange enters Exeter and establishes a major early base for his advance across southern England.
William III of Orange reaches the Salisbury area as defections and declining confidence weaken the position of James II.
Leaves James II's army during the night of 23-24 November and joins William of Orange at Axminster.
William III of Orange sails from the Dutch Republic with a large invasion fleet and army bound for England.
William III of Orange receives commissioners representing James II and answers proposals for a negotiated political settlement.
James attempted to flee but was detained at Faversham and returned to London.
Detained by magistrates at Faversham while attempting to reach France
William III of Orange enters London after James II loses effective control of the capital.
William III of Orange summons leading peers to advise on government and the constitutional crisis following James II's departure.
William III of Orange addresses a large meeting of peers assembled to consider how England should be governed until a national settlement is reached.
First day of the interregnum
William III of Orange summons former members of Charles II's Parliaments and representatives of the City of London to advise on calling a Convention.
James left England after William permitted his departure, creating an effective vacancy.
English political leaders ask William III of Orange to administer public affairs until the Convention meets.
Beaufort's influence helps shape Bristol's response to William of Orange.
William III of Orange authorizes preparations for a Convention that will determine the future government and succession.
James tries to escape from London but is caught by Kent fishermen & returned to London
James IIs overthrow begins modern English Parliamentary democracy, never since has the monarch held absolute power, and the Bill of Rights has become one of the most important documents in the political history of Britain
Birth of James Francis Edward, the future "Old Pretender", son of Mary of Modena
Secures Bristol & Gloucester for William of Orange
The overthrow of James II by an alliance of Parliamentarians and an invading army led by William III (William of Orange) who ascends the English throne as William III. James IIs overthrow begins modern English Parliamentary democracy, never since has the monarch held absolute power, and the Bill of Rights has become one of the most important documents in the political history of Britain
William III of Orange leads the Dutch-backed intervention that helps remove James II from power and opens the way to a new English settlement.
Death of James Butler
The Archbishop of Canterbury & 6 Bishops petition the King to withdraw the Declaration
William III allows James II to escape to France where he lives in exile at St Germain
Flees to France with her only surviving son James Francis Edward, the old pretender
Helps Queen Anne to escape
Succeeds his father, Sir Winston Churchill, after the elder Churchill's death in 1688.
The overthrow of James II by an alliance of Parliamentarians and an invading army led by William III (William of Orange) who ascends the English throne as William III. James IIs overthrow begins modern English Parliamentary democracy, never since has the monarch held absolute power, and the Bill of Rights has become one of the most important documents in the political history of Britain
The Glorious Revolution removes James II and creates the political settlement under which William III of Orange and Mary will rule with a stronger parliamentary role.
Appointed Lord Privy Seal by William III
Surrenders Bristol to William III of Orange
Appointed Speaker of the House of Commons
Compton & 6 other leading men in England invite William of Orange to claim the throne
Seven of the leading men in England invite William of Orange to claim the throne
Parliament offers the Crown not to Jamess eldest son, James Francis Edward (who would have been the heir-apparent under normal circumstances), but to William and Mary as joint Sovereigns
Signs the invitation for William of Orange to come to England
1 of 7 signatories to the letter inviting William of Orange to accept the throne
In correspondence with the Prince of Orange, and one of the seven signatories of the letter of invitation to William
After James II's flight, William III of Orange and Mary are offered the English crown jointly.
James tries the Archbishop of Canterbury but public pressure leads to their acquittal
This page is generated from stored World History Database records matching the exact country and year shown above. Exact duplicate display records are collapsed. Records without a month are listed after the monthly sections. Source provenance varies by record; formal academic citation should be checked against the relevant primary source, archive or specialist historical reference.