OCR Specification focus:
‘the Convention Parliament; the offering of the crown to William and Mary’
The Convention Parliament of 1689 resolved England’s constitutional crisis by deposing James II, declaring his throne vacant, and offering the crown jointly to William and Mary.
The Convention Parliament of 1689
The Convention Parliament was not a regular session called by royal writ but rather a revolutionary assembly convened after James II had fled England. This created a constitutional dilemma: the monarchy was central to English governance, yet the king had seemingly abandoned his duties. Parliament had to decide how to ensure political stability without undermining the principle of hereditary succession.
Context of James II’s Departure
By December 1688, James II’s position had collapsed due to widespread opposition to his pro-Catholic policies, his disregard for parliamentary rights, and the birth of a Catholic heir. When William of Orange landed and advanced towards London, many of James’s supporters defected. James attempted to flee twice, and by December he was effectively absent, leaving England without a functioning monarch.
Constitutional Crisis
The central problem was: Was the throne vacant, or had James merely abdicated temporarily?
The Whigs argued that James had effectively broken the contract between monarch and people, creating a vacancy.
The Tories, however, feared undermining hereditary right and argued for continuity.
This disagreement led to the summoning of the Convention Parliament in January 1689 to resolve the issue.
Debates in the Convention Parliament
Whig Position
The Whigs, influenced by political theorists like John Locke, maintained that kings ruled conditionally on upholding the laws and liberties of the realm. James, they argued, had violated this trust:
By dispensing with laws at will.
By persecuting the Anglican Church.
By subverting Protestant succession with the birth of his son, James Francis Edward.
Therefore, his departure equated to abdication, leaving the throne vacant.
Tory Position
The Tories were more conservative, stressing the sacredness of hereditary monarchy. They argued:
James’s absence was temporary and did not remove his legal right.
To declare a vacancy might set a dangerous precedent for future parliamentary interference.
Nonetheless, many Tories eventually compromised, recognising the practical necessity of a new monarch to prevent disorder.
The Offer of the Crown to William and Mary
After lengthy debate, the Convention Parliament agreed on a revolutionary settlement.
Decision to Offer the Crown
On 13 February 1689, the throne was offered jointly to William of Orange and Mary II. This was a unique arrangement:
Mary was James II’s Protestant daughter, giving hereditary legitimacy.
William was a successful Protestant military leader, ensuring strong leadership.
This joint monarchy preserved continuity while acknowledging parliamentary authority.
“The glory of the English nation: being the manner of the crowning of King William III and Queen Mary II,” London, 1689. This shows the joint coronation that followed the Convention’s conditional offer, visually emphasising the unprecedented dual monarchy. The sheet also notes a later presentation of Scotland’s crown, which is additional detail not required by the syllabus. Source
The Declaration of Rights
The crown was not offered unconditionally. Parliament drafted the Declaration of Rights, which William and Mary accepted before taking the throne. This document:
Asserted that dispensing with laws without Parliament’s consent was illegal.
Prohibited the monarch from levying taxes without parliamentary approval.
Guaranteed freedom of speech within Parliament.
Declared that standing armies in peacetime required parliamentary consent.
Enrolment of the Declaration of Rights, 13 February 1689 (catalogue ref. C 212/18/1). The parchment roll records Parliament’s terms limiting royal power and safeguarding liberties; these clauses informed the later Bill of Rights 1689. Source
Bill of Rights: A statute passed in December 1689, enshrining the principles of the Declaration of Rights into law and permanently limiting monarchical power.
The offer of the crown was thus conditional, binding the monarchy to a new constitutional framework.
The Significance of the Convention Parliament’s Actions
Revolution through Legality
The Convention Parliament carefully framed its actions as legal and traditional rather than radical revolution. It claimed:
James had abdicated by fleeing.
The throne was vacant by his actions, not Parliament’s rebellion.
This justification was crucial to maintain legitimacy and avoid accusations of usurpation.
Establishing Parliamentary Supremacy
The events of 1689 marked a turning point:
Parliament asserted the right to choose the monarch in extraordinary circumstances.
The balance of power shifted decisively towards Parliament.
The precedent was set that monarchs must govern with parliamentary consent.
Religious and Political Implications
The offer of the crown also reinforced Protestant supremacy:
A Catholic monarch was now effectively impossible.
The Church of England was protected as the established church.
This aligned political stability with Protestant identity, a principle that remained central throughout the 18th century.
The Settlement
By offering the crown to William and Mary under strict parliamentary conditions, the Convention Parliament resolved the immediate crisis while laying the foundations of constitutional monarchy. The throne was no longer a divine right but a contractual office, dependent on both hereditary succession and parliamentary approval. This marked a profound transformation in English governance, shaping political life for generations.
FAQ
The Convention Parliament was not summoned by a monarch, which made it exceptional. Normally, only a king or queen could legally call Parliament.
Instead, it was assembled by influential political leaders after James II fled, to manage the succession crisis. This gave it a revolutionary character, as it acted without traditional royal authority.
The Convention achieved compromise by:
Using Tory language that James had ‘abdicated’ by leaving, avoiding a radical break with hereditary monarchy.
Adopting Whig principles in limiting royal powers through the Declaration of Rights.
This combination allowed both parties to claim legitimacy while preventing civil conflict.
Mary initially believed William should rule alone if she became queen, as she felt his status as a military leader was stronger.
However, political consensus in England required her visible role to preserve hereditary legitimacy. She ultimately agreed to joint monarchy to maintain unity and to secure support from both Whigs and Tories.
Yes. Some Tories and members of the clergy refused to swear allegiance, believing James II remained the rightful king.
These ‘Non-Jurors’ lost offices and positions when they refused the oaths. Though a minority, their resistance revealed that not all accepted the settlement, creating long-term political and religious division.
The 1689 settlement inspired the idea that monarchy was a conditional office.
Thinkers and writers increasingly viewed the crown as subject to law and parliamentary authority. This reinforced the concept of constitutional monarchy, influencing debates on liberty, representation, and the balance of power throughout the 18th century.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year did the Convention Parliament offer the crown jointly to William and Mary, and what document accompanied this offer?
Mark scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year 1689.
1 mark for correctly naming the Declaration of Rights as the accompanying document.
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two reasons why the Convention Parliament chose to offer the crown to William and Mary jointly in 1689.
Mark scheme:
Up to 3 marks per reason, depending on detail and explanation.
For full marks, candidates should explain both reasons clearly.
Possible valid points:
Mary’s hereditary legitimacy (1 mark) – she was James II’s Protestant daughter.
Explanation: This provided continuity of succession while ensuring a Protestant monarch (1–2 additional marks depending on clarity).
William’s political and military authority (1 mark) – he was a respected Protestant leader with strong military reputation.
Explanation: This ensured stability, effective leadership, and protection from Catholic powers in Europe (1–2 additional marks depending on clarity).
Other valid answers could include:
The joint arrangement maintained balance between hereditary right (through Mary) and practical strength (through William).
It avoided the perception that William was a usurper by emphasising Mary’s legitimate claim.
Maximum: 6 marks (3 marks per well-explained reason).
