Why were William and Mary offered the crown?
After the birth of an heir to James in 1688, seven high-ranking members of Parliament invited William and Mary to England. James himself was allowed to escape to France, and in February 1689 Parliament offered the crown jointly to William and Mary, provided they accept the Bill of Rights.
What law required the king of England to be a Protestant?
The Act of Settlement
Why did William and Mary accept the terms of parliament to come to England as king and queen?
One of William’s main reasons for accepting the throne was to reinforce the struggle against Louis XIV. William’s foreign policy was dominated by the priority to contain French expansionism. England and the Dutch joined the coalition against France during the Nine Years’ War, 1689-97.
What impact did the English Bill of Rights have on the development of government?
The bill outlined specific constitutional and civil rights and ultimately gave Parliament power over the monarchy. Many experts regard the English Bill of Rights as the primary law that set the stage for a constitutional monarchy in England. It’s also credited as being an inspiration for the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Why was William III invited to the British king?
In 1688, the Protestant stadholder William III was asked to help expel the English king. When he succeeded, he and his wife, Mary Stuart, were crowned king and queen.
Why were William and Mary asked to take the throne in England?
William III and Mary II ruled Britain jointly after deposing King James II in what is known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688. But as William wanted the crown to pass to the next legitimate heir (which was Mary) and not claim the crown by conquest, a compromise was reached: Mary and William would rule jointly.
Why did Mary and Queen become king?
Charles lacked legitimate children, making Mary second in the line of succession. She married her Protestant first cousin, William of Orange, in 1677. Charles died in 1685 and James took the throne, making Mary heir presumptive. William and Mary became king and queen regnant.