The History of England

1686 had seen progress for James - but he was puzzled and frustrated by Anglican opposition from the English and Scottish parliaments. 1687 saw a continuation of the old strategy to raise the status of Catholics, and stifle independence of civil and military institutions. But it would also see a new strategy - to bypass parliament, and appeal to Dissenters as well as Catholics.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a happy start in 1685, James had begun to hit resistance in England to his campaign for Catholic emancipation. In 1686, he planned to accelerate the process. He expected rapid success in Ireland and Scotland, and confidently expected that education, propaganda, and the reality of supreme royal authority would subdue any resistance in England and Wales.  For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the English parliament was preparing to sit, news came in of a protestant cataclysm in the making in October 1685, and soon after refugees started arriving with horror stories of persecution. The rumours were confirmed. Louis XIV had revoked the Edict of Nantes which protected 800,000 French Protestants, and made their religion illegal. Nor was this the only matter on the minds of MPs as they assembled, and heard their King address them on 9th November.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the parliament on April 1685, Scotland demonstrated how loyal subjects should treat their king - an example which was duly followed by their southern neighbours soon afterwards. Yet despite this enthusiastic reception, within weeks James faced two rebellions. In Western Scotland the Earl of Argyl raised the fiery cross to summon the clans, and in South West England the Duke of Monmouth was joined by thousands of rebels eager to fight for religious freedom. The outcome would be soaked in blood.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A survey of competing interpretations of the 1688 upheaval and whether it was revolution, settlement, or elite coup. Debates about James II’s motives, character, Catholic faith and claims to royal power. Newer angles on religion across three kingdoms, popular petitions, and links between the events and property, commerce and long-term political settlement.

The Dutch raid on the Medway effectively brought the Second Anglo Dutchto an end, and also the honeymoon period. From 1667 to 1681, Charles sought to play off factions in parliament, to keep his freedom of action, enhance royal power where he could and court the French - their friendship, and bribes. The public announcement of James' catholicism in 1677 became the driving factor in an increasingly unruly politics, of Whig and Tory. Until at the Oxford parliament in 1681, Charles chose one side - the Tory. He would never allow parliament to sit again.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After dismissing parliament of Oxford in 1681, Charles pursued alliance with the Tories and emasculation of the Whigs and Dissenters at all political levels. He pursued a strategy with determination and consistency he had rarely shown at any other point.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleanor and Martin of the Three Ravens podcast and I have one (probably last) walk round some objects that we think make us lie back and think of England.  For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1680 and 1681, Shaftesbury led an increasingly shrill and effective campaign, asppeling to popular opinion to force Charles into calling a new parliament. There he could be forced to learn about the power of the exlusionist movement which could be brought to bear. But Charles would learn a different lesson, and at Oxford in 1681, would start his own campaign.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1678 a fantasist and charlatan, Titus Oates, made a series of wild and dramatic accusations of a Catholic plot to assasinate the king. A series of extraordinary co-incidences seemed to confirm his accusations, and the public mood became hysterical. The fevered atmosphere gave wings to a new political objective - to exclude James from the succession.For maps, resources, transcripts or to become a member, head for https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk. (Please note the 'the' part!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.