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Accession to the throne
When James was proclaimed the king on 6 February 1685 he was in a very strong position. Despite his open Catholicism he had support of the Tories and Anglican Church.
The ease of his accession came as a surprise. Three times between 1679 and 1681 the Commons passed Exclusion Bills. The exclusion campaign was a logical culmination of growing Commons’ distrust of both James and Charles (James due Catholicism, Charles due his pro-French policy). -
Outcome of exclusion campaign
Charles would not agree to the exclusion which he saw as a broader attack on the rights and powers of the monarchy. In their efforts to overcome his resistance Whigs mobilised mass support using propaganda. However as the panic of Popish plot died down, many of those who were unhappy about James and Charles conduct during 1670s came to see Whigs’ tactics as a greater danger to the established order in the Church and the state. -
Tories’ support
Tories believed that only a strong monarchy could prevent political and social upheaval. They supported Charles and then James in quashing Whig opposition. However the extent of their support was limited, while being ready to co-operate with the monarch and to grant him substantial powers Tories were not prepared to give religious liberty and equal rights to Catholics which was primary aim for James. -
By summer 1688 James had alienated Anglicans without winning over the Dissenters (He was convinced that Dissenters have potential to become his allies instead of Tories)
In 1685 few would have predicted that within four years James would be in the exile in France. General elections of 1685 produced Tory majority, and they have granted James substantial funds. Unfortunately during his short reign James, similarly as his father had demonstrated an extraordinary lack of political judgement. After MPs refused to grant relief to the Catholics he became disillusioned with Anglicans and distanced from them. -
Declaration of Indulgence
In 1687 James used his ruling to issue the new Declaration of Indulgence granting freedom of worship to both Catholic and Protestant dissenters. It didn’t cause open opposition until April 1688 when he renewed it and ordered to be read from pulpit in every parish forcing the Anglican Church to accept the reduction of its own power. When the seven bishops refused to obey the order they were arrested, but shortly afterwards were acquitted amid widespread public celebration. -
James’ powers in decline
The political nation was prepared to accept James’ policies such as promotion of his Catholic subjects into a number of offices, but only because they hoped that his reign won’t last long. After all, James had Protestant daughter and heir Mary that would reverse his Catholic policies. However two important events transformed the political scene:
1) arrival of the heir in June 1688
2) in April 1688 he ordered to read Declaration of Indulgence from pulpit in every parish -
Downfall
The underlying reasons for downfall of James bore resemblance to those that have destroyed his father. By 1688 James’ rule was seen as a threat to the Protestant religion and the rule of law. Another important reason were James’ Catholic beliefs - unlike his father or brother he did not divide the nation. Instead fear of Catholicism which was generally associated with absolute rule alienated political classes to the point where his authority collapsed completely. -
Glorious revolution
The birth of heir threatened the permanent establishment of Catholicism in England. Many politicians saw no alternative to invitation of William of Orange, Princess’s Mary husband to intervene with an armed force to protect Anglican church and the rule of law.
William landed in Torbay in November 1688. Finally as William approached London in December James panicked and fled into exile. It was an ideal outcome for those willing to remove him.